Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa of Palmeiras is only 15 years old and has yet to play a senior game, but he has already attracted the attention of Europe’s premier clubs, with Real Madrid leading the battle to recruit him.
Endrick’s exploits at the young level, where he has an exceptional scoring record, have been documented in recent months. In the Copinha, a tournament for U20 teams in Sao Paulo, he recently scored a fantastic overhead kick.
Palmeiras have high expectations for the teenager, who scored five goals in three Copinha games in just 90 minutes of action, and have worked hard to keep him out of the spotlight. Endrick was kept out of the team’s Copinha game to play a behind-closed-doors bounce game with the first team, which he won’t be able to play for until July when he turns 16.
Endrick’s consent clause
Palmeiras has been under increasing pressure from overseas clubs and sponsors – Endrick already has a Nike deal – to provide clarity on the youngster’s future. The forward’s academy contract includes a 17-million-euro release clause, but he won’t be able to sign with a club outside of Brazil until he turns 18 years old.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool are among Endrick’s fans, with some of them having previously made direct contact with Palmeiras or met with the player’s family.
Real Madrid is Currently Leading
While Endrick will be unable to join any European club for at least another two and a half years, the race for his signing has already begun, with Los Blancos appearing to be the frontrunners. Vinicius Junior, a compatriot, has contacted him and sent him an autographed shirt, and his agency, TFM, has solid ties with the Madrid club.
Real Madrid, of course, is no stranger to handling the complexities of bringing in Brazilian talent, with Vinicius being a prime example. When Vinicius was barely 17 years old, Los Blancos agreed to a contract with Flamengo for 45 million euros – 15 million euros more than his release clause – and the winger joined a year later.
Los Merengues’ management understands that they may need to act quickly and manoeuvre deftly to land Endrick from Palmeiras. The aim is to provide a comparable ‘bonus’ to ensure that the transaction is completed early, as was the case with Vinicius and Rodrygo Goes, who signed a contract at the age of 17 that became effective when he turned 18.
Nevertheless, Barcelona is keeping an eye on the issue, but their financial troubles make any move doubtful. With so many brilliant teenagers already battling for a limited number of attacking slots, the true issue for Real Madrid is where Endrick fits into their plans.
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