Real Madrid are widely reported to have won the race for Endrick, with the teenage sensation expected to join in 2024.
A host of clubs from across Europe were attributed with an interest in the 16-year-old, though Los Blancos have seemingly won the hunt – reportedly paying a whopping €72million for the privilege.
Such a mouth-watering sum will undoubtedly garner attention, particularly for a player who still has to wait at least another two years before moving to the Spanish capital and is yet to hit double figures in senior league appearances for Palmeiras.
Despite that, he has already made quite the impression. On October 7, Endrick became the first player born in 2006 to play a Brasileirao game, then, just 20 days later, a brace against Atletico Paranaense saw him become the youngest ever scorer for Palmeiras, aged just 16 years and 96 days.
That display earned him a first start on November 7 against Fortaleza, where he scored again, with his record standing at three goals from seven appearances in the Brasileirao.
In total, Endrick has played 307 minutes of Serie A football, creating five chances, having 14 shots (10 on target) and a passing accuracy of 73 per cent.
Although such a small sample size cannot paint a full picture of Endrick's talents, his numbers are impressive and Real Madrid know what they are looking for – having signed Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo in similar deals from South America at age 16 and 17 respectively.
Like Endrick, both players were unable to move to Europe until they had turned 18 and continued to develop in Brazil until then – with Endrick's record being even more eye catching when compared to his potential future team-mates.
Rodrygo had the better record in front of goal, scoring nine times in Serie A, but had to wait a few months before his first goal for Santos after making his debut, which came in the Campeonato Paulista against Ponte Preta – though he scored in only his third Serie A appearance, whereas Endrick's first goal came in his fourth game.
Vinicius, scorer of seven Serie A goals, faced a similar wait to open his account for Flamengo, which came in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana against Palestino, and he had to wait until his 17th Serie A appearance for his first goal in the competition.
As a more central player, a quicker return could have been expected for Endrick but, given his age, the ability to quickly settle into the first-team paints an encouraging picture for the years ahead at Santiago Bernabeu.
Given the difference in appearances between the three players, a minutes-per-goal ratio in Brazil's Serie A is the fairest comparison between the trio, and it is Endrick (102 minutes) who fairs the best, with Vinicius averaging a goal every 239 minutes and Rodrygo finding the net every 341 minutes on average.
Though yet to register his first Serie A assist, Endrick averages a chance created every 61.4 minutes of football, ahead of Rodrygo at 68.2 minutes during his time in Brazil and Vinicius at 83.8 minutes.
Most encouraging for Real Madrid, however, is the relationship the trio of compatriots can have, with a front-three potentially becoming established on the international stage as well as at club level.
Endrick certainly has big boots to fill in Karim Benzema at Madrid and Neymar with the national side, but the early signs are extremely positive and Madrid have capitalised on this approach in the past with the deals to sign Endrick's aforementioned compatriots.
The signs are also good for Brazil, with former Selecao international Junior telling Stats Perform he believes such a transfer will reap rewards for the national side, whose wait for a sixth World Cup title lingers on.
"Endrick will certainly be a great player unless something very serious happens in his career," he said.
"It's a loss for Brazilian football, but on the other hand, I think we can win as Vinicius Jr did. He matured at the club, and today he is serving the national team."
Emma Hayes: Chelsea not overthinking semi-final against ‘world-class’ Barcelona
Emma Hayes insists Chelsea have not overanalysed “world-class” Barcelona ahead of their Champions League clash on Saturday.
Chelsea have travelled to Catalonia for the first leg of their semi-final 12 months on from the two clubs meeting at the same stage of the competition.
Barcelona prevailed 2-1 on aggregate on that occasion before overcoming Wolfsburg in Eindhoven to lift the trophy for the second time in three years.
Chelsea boss Hayes, speaking ahead ahead of this weekend’s first leg at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, said: “Barcelona have been the top team in Europe in recent years.
“Results have suggested that, they are world champions and European champions, but this is a football match and there’s two legs.
“Our job is to get ourselves in a position where we can come here and give them competition.
“You have to be in it to compete for it and you know that you’re going to face a team like Barcelona at some stage, and it happens to be at the semi-finals.
“We understand the team, we understand the opponent, and we respect them. They are world class and have unbelievable players.
“We’ve had a game Wednesday and we’ve only had the one training session today (Friday) so we’re not overthinking or overanalysing anything.”
Chelsea have never won the Women’s Champions League with their best performance being a final appearance in 2021 when Barcelona thrashed them 4-0.
Arsenal are the only English club to win the trophy, a distant 17 years ago in 2007.
“We just have to keep building on our experiences in Europe,” said Hayes. “No player needs motivation to play this game.
“Next week we get a little more time together on the grass to work on things between the two games, based on the learnings.
“For this game we have to keep doing the good things that we’ve been doing throughout Europe this year.”
Chelsea have received a double boost with England pair Millie Bright and Lauren James available for selection.
Club captain Bright has not played since November because of a knee injury, while James sat out Wednesday’s 3-0 victory over Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League.
Hayes said: “I always come from a tactical perspective, first and foremost, from what the needs are for that game.
“Of course, when you play three games directly after an international break, within a seven-day period, you have to utilise the squad.
“We certainly know that no matter the team we put out, we’re highly competitive and Wednesday demonstrated that. So many players came in and added much-needed energy.
“It’s not just the personnel, it’s about structures.
“When you’re playing against an opponent who’s going to have over 70 per cent of the ball, they’re going to have control of the ball and the game in that regard, how you defend spaces is important.”
Chelsea have confirmed the departure of Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger to NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women’s Soccer League.
Berger, 33, made 114 appearances in five years at Chelsea and leaves the club having won four WSL titles, three FA Cups, two Conti Cups, one Community Shield and a Golden Glove.
Man Utd appoint Jason Wilcox as new technical director after leaving Southampton
Jason Wilcox has left Southampton to become Manchester United’s new technical director with immediate effect.
The 53-year-old becomes a key appointment at Old Trafford as part of United’s off-field overhaul following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival at the club.
Wilcox joined Championship side Southampton last summer as their director of football, making the switch from Manchester City where he developed a reputation for nurturing excellent young talent as well as recruiting some of the best prospects in the game.
A United statement read: “Jason Wilcox has joined Manchester United as technical director with immediate effect.
“He will work with all technical areas of the football department to achieve the highest standards of performance.
“Jason was previously director of football at Southampton and before that academy director at Manchester City.
“As a player he won the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers in 1995.”
A Saints statement read: “Southampton Football Club can today confirm that it has reluctantly agreed to allow director of football Jason Wilcox to join Manchester United, having reached an agreement with the Premier League side on an acceptable compensation fee.
“Whilst the club is naturally disappointed that Jason’s stay at Southampton has only lasted nine months, it wishes him well for the future.”
John Murtough stepped down as football director at Old Trafford last week.
United are looking to add Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth to their staff as Ratcliffe continues his off-field rebuild after taking a 27.7 per cent stake in the club.
Wilcox will report to the sporting director, who will have overall responsibility for football performance, recruitment and operations.
The PA news agency understands Darren Fletcher will continue to play a key role in the football leadership team working across the men’s first team and academy.
Maya Le Tissier signs new deal with Manchester United
England defender Maya Le Tissier has signed a new contract extension at Manchester United.
The centre-back joined United from Women’s Super League rivals Brighton in July 2022 and has gone on to make 59 appearances.
Her existing contract was due to expire next year but she has pledged her future to United, with the length of the deal not disclosed.
“I’m really happy to sign a contract extension with this great club and look forward to ending the season strong, while continuing to build for the future,” the 22-year-old said on www.manutd.com.
“A big thank you to all our fantastic fans for their great support since I joined, and I’m excited for many more winning moments together.”
Le Tissier, capped three times by England, was an ever-present last season as United reached a maiden FA Cup final and finished second in the WSL to qualify for the Champions League for the first time.
She has not missed a game in any competition this season and was last week instrumental in repelling Chelsea as United claimed a shock win to reach the FA Cup final for the second successive campaign.
“Maya has become a real fixture of our team,” United head coach Marc Skinner said. “For her to be playing every single minute like she has, is testament to her.
“We want to make Maya a key feature of our team for many years to come. Maya’s a leader and everybody at the club should be proud that she’s decided to sign for us long term.
“She has the right mentality and the right attitude – and is a perfect role model for the next generation. We look forward to working with her for many winning years to come.”
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