Endrick has given AC Milan his blessing for a January loan move, with the Brazilian forward telling the Rossoneri they would be his first choice if Real Madrid allow him to leave this winter.
The 20-year-old has been frozen out at the Bernabeu this season, and with the winter window approaching, the race for one of football’s most coveted young strikers is heating up.
From Madrid’s bench to Milan’s radar
Endrick’s frustration in the Spanish capital is reaching boiling point. Since returning from a productive loan spell at Lyon in the summer, the Brazil international has managed just four competitive minutes — a brief cameo against Elche back in September.
That is a stunning fall from grace for a player who delivered 16 goal contributions in 21 appearances for Lyon during the second half of last season, scoring eight goals and registering eight assists in Ligue 1. His form in France earned him a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad, but it has done nothing to change his standing under Jose Mourinho in Madrid.
The Real Madrid manager blocked a summer loan move for the youngster, insisting at the time that “Endrick is not going anywhere.” Yet the Portuguese coach has barely used him since, with the striker buried behind Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Yan Diomande, Carlos Espi, Brahim Diaz and Arda Guler — and Rodrygo nearing a return from long-term injury to push him further down the queue.
Now, according to a report in Gazzetta, Endrick has made his position clear: if Madrid open the door to a January departure, San Siro is where he wants to be.
Why Milan believe they can win the race
This is not the first time Milan have tried. The Rossoneri attempted to take Endrick on loan during the summer window but were told he would only be allowed to leave on a straight loan, with no purchase option included — and Mourinho ultimately vetoed the deal entirely.
Milan are ready to go again in January, and this time they are exploring a more creative structure. Per Football Italia, the club could look to negotiate a Nico Paz-style agreement with Real Madrid, involving buy-out and buy-back clauses that protect the Spanish giants’ long-term interest while giving Endrick a genuine path forward.
The precedent is well established. Paz joined Como from Madrid in the summer of 2024 for an initial fee of just €6m, with Los Blancos retaining a 50% sell-on clause and a series of low-cost buy-back options — a formula that has worked for both clubs since the Argentine’s explosion in Serie A.
Milan also hold one potentially decisive card: Endrick is represented by Roc Nation, the agency that shares a strong business relationship with Rossoneri owner Gerry Cardinale and his RedBird Capital Partners group. That connection could prove crucial if Madrid sanction a departure.
Crucially, the move is said to have the backing of Milan coach Ruben Amorim, who views Endrick as an ideal alternative to first-choice striker Goncalo Ramos during the demanding winter schedule.
Competition from Roma and Villa
Milan are not alone in their admiration. Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini would gladly bring the Brazilian to the capital, while Aston Villa have also been credited with interest in a January move.
But with Endrick reportedly making Milan his preferred destination, the Rossoneri are in pole position — provided Real Madrid give the green light.
Madrid paid around €47.5m to sign Endrick from Palmeiras at the end of 2022, and his modest wages of approximately €2.5m net per season would present no obstacle to interested clubs. The only question is whether Mourinho and the Bernabeu hierarchy are willing to let another young talent seek minutes elsewhere rather than watch his development stall on the bench. Meanwhile, Madrid's own recruitment plans are taking shape, with the club credited with interest in McTominay as his Napoli contract talks stall.
Beyond the Final Whistle: Endrick has said yes to Milan — but the ball is now firmly in Real Madrid’s court. If Los Blancos repeat the summer’s stubbornness, they risk wasting a generational talent. Would a January loan to Serie A be the making of Endrick, or should he stay and fight for his place in Madrid? Let us know what you think.
