Endrick's loan move to Lyon
Real Madrid has agreed to loan the young Brazilian forward Endrick to Lyon in a move aimed at giving him more playing time and accelerating his development, despite Manchester United's recent overtures.
The Brazilian forward has yet to establish himself regularly at the Bernabeu, prompting Madrid to open the door to a temporary exit to support his growth.
According to the British newspaper The Mirror, Real Madrid are close to finalising Endrick's loan to Lyon after failing to secure regular minutes in Madrid.
Endrick joined Real Madrid in 2022 from Palmeiras and moved to Spain in 2024. Despite high potential, his chance to play has been limited, and talk of a move to boost his development has been widespread, with many European clubs showing interest.
Lyon is widely reported to be the front-runner in the Endrick race, with reports suggesting the deal could be sealed in January.
The French side currently sits seventh in Ligue 1 under coach Paulo Fonseca, who hopes the arrival will strengthen the team's campaign, according to a Brazilian Globo report.
Earlier, The Mirror indicated Aston Villa was monitoring Endrick, while Lyon edged Manchester United in the race after the English club reached out to Real Madrid.
The Red Devils were weighing options after an injury to Benjamin Sesko could keep him out for a long spell, but they are not expected to land Endrick.
Madrid and Lyon are currently negotiating the framework of the deal, which would include a recall clause allowing Real Madrid to terminate the loan if a mass injury crisis hits the squad.
Xabi Alonso had previously dismissed the idea of an Endrick loan but has since appeared to soften his stance. The former Bayer Leverkusen boss argued that the forward should not let disappointment control him and should seize the opportunity when it arrives.
Alonso said: The boy wants to play, and we want him to compete now. He must be patient, ready, and know that he is at Real Madrid. His time will come.
Last season, Vinicius Jr, Mbappe, and Rodrygo were presented as Real Madrid's preferred trio, but Rodrygo's status has recently shifted. Alonso says he wants Endrick to get minutes, but thus far the moment has not been right.
He added: Of course, I would have liked him to have already played. But our fixture congestion since Endrick's return has been tight. He trains well and is ready, but the right moment must come.
From youth prodigy to a major investment
Endrick was born on July 21, 2006, in Brasilia and began his football journey at Palmeiras' academy at age 11. There, his goal-scoring talent and technical flair quickly earned him the nickname the new phenomenon.
At just 15, he became the leading star of the youth teams, guiding Palmeiras to the 2022 Sao Paulo Youth Cup and earning best player honors. European clubs soon pursued him as Brazil's future hope after Neymar and Vinicius Junior.
Moments later, Endrick signed his first professional deal with Palmeiras, becoming the youngest-ever first-team player for the club and launching his official career with a memorable league debut.
From a promising youngster to a blockbuster investment, his dazzling form drew Real Madrid to sign him for around 60 million euros including add-ons, a long-term bet on the future.
Despite his youth, Endrick has shown notable maturity and confidence in early comments, saying he hopes to follow in the footsteps of his Brazilian peers in Madrid.
Before moving to Europe, Endrick starred for Palmeiras as they clinched the 2023 Brasileirao title, scoring decisive goals down the stretch.
European experience began in summer 2024 when Endrick joined Real Madrid and trained with the first team alongside stars like Bellingham, Vinicius, and Rodrygo.
Despite injuries delaying his official debut, he registered seven goals in 840 minutes and topped the club's Copa del Rey scoring charts with five goals, marking him as a standout talent.
But the change in coaches, from Carlo Ancelotti to Alonso, altered the equation. Endrick found himself out of the lineup as a new dynamic behind Mbappe was contemplated, while academy product Gonzalo secured a new contract after shining at the Club World Cup, raising the stakes for Endrick.
That shift signaled to Endrick that he must fight for a handful of minutes behind Mbappe, a reminder of the tough reality in the squad.
In Alonso's view, Endrick needs to stay patient and seize the opportunity when it arises, because the minutes will come if he keeps improving.
Endrick’s early career is a reminder that beginnings can be dramatic, and that the real test arrives when the spotlight lowers and the work begins.
Endrick’s journey traces from the Palmeiras academy in Brasilia to Real Madrid and a potential Ligue 1 stint with Lyon, a move many hope will unlock his ceiling as a modern football sensation.
Humor aside, if Endrick turns into the next Brazilian superstar, Real Madrid might finally stop tormenting opposing teams and start gifting them autographs.
Final punchlines: Endrick's agent called it a loan; his ego called it a season ticket. If he shines in Lyon, Madrid might consider renaming their stadium Endrick Arena. And if the injury crisis hits, Madrid will need a bigger calendar—or a bigger bench. Snipers laughing: the only thing more overachieving than Endrick is a calendar with January written all over it.
