A Ligue 1 side have made their opening pitch to sign Real Madrid forward Endrick on loan.
French Lyon side are offering a six-month loan with partial salary coverage for the Brazil international who is keen to gain playing time in the hope of cementing a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad.
A number of English and other European sides, including the likes of West Ham, are interested in the 19-year-old but Lyon believe they are his preferred choice as it stands. They have still to convince Real Madrid of the financial package however.
Earlier this year, Endrick told Brazilian legend Romario that his patience at Madrid was wearing thin on the back of a tough campaign last season, and this year has been similar.
‘To tell you the truth, what goes through my head a lot is that I’m afraid I won’t be in the World Cup,’ he told Romario TV in March.
‘You (Romario) have been through it, too, my dad even told me that you were hoping and didn’t get a call-up (in 1998). So I have this fear. Because it’s a dream of mine. It’s hard to say because I want to be at the World Cup and help Brazil win its sixth title.
A European club are offering a six-month loan with partial salary coverage to sign Endrick on loan until the end of the season
The forward has made clear that he is finding it hard at Madrid and would be open to leaving
‘Of course it’s difficult, being at the biggest club in the world, with the biggest players, and you can’t always have the opportunity to play.
‘But whenever I play, I want to be able to show a bit of myself to be in the national team. I hope that next year I can be in the national team and if God wills it, we’ll win the World Cup.’
Endrick is yet to make a single appearance for Madrid this season.
Lyon are challenging for the French league title, just two points behind leaders Paris St Germain, are contesting for the Europa League and are coached by Portuguese Paulo Fonseca. All of which appeals to Endrick as he weighs up the best place to play on a consistent basis for the second half of the season.
The teenager, who cost Madrid around £50m from Palmeiras, has not figured under Xabi Alonso this season.
