Federico Pena has revealed that Endrick could have joined Chelsea instead of Real Madrid, while Liverpool also wanted to secure his services.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Federico Pena has revealed that Endrick could have joined Chelsea before Real Madrid signed him. Several other Premier League clubs, including Liverpool and Manchester City, were also keen on securing the Brazilian attacker’s services before he agreed to move to Real Madrid.
Endrick is one of the best young players in the world and will become the latest Brazilian prodigy to arrive in Europe this year. A graduate of Palmeiras’s recently-famous youth division, the teenage sensation has seen his stock skyrocket well before turning 18. And he is already a first-team squad member at the Brazilian club.
The 17-year-old has made his international debut for Brazil, turning out twice thus far for the Selecao. Meanwhile, the wonderkid has already turned out 66 times for Palmeiras, amassing 18 goals and three assists. He will join Real Madrid in the summer transfer window after turning 18. But Endrick’s career could have panned out differently.
Federico Pena, Endrick’s agent, has revealed that while Real Madrid will complete a deal worth £52 million this summer, the youngster nearly joined Chelsea. In addition, he was a target for other European bigwigs, including Liverpool, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain.
Pena told the Daily Telegraph, “People in football already knew about him, but that’s when all of the top clubs came in – Manchester City, Liverpool, Paris St-Germain, Chelsea and, of course, Real Madrid. I think Real decided that they were never going to miss another talent like Vini or Endrick after Neymar moved to Barcelona.”
“Maybe there is a lesson for Chelsea because they were in front at the start. The boy’s parents visited Cobham and were impressed, but Chelsea were worried about the fee and then when Real came in and were prepared to pay what Palmeiras wanted, it became almost impossible for them.”
Reports in 2022 did suggest that Chelsea had been in advanced talks to sign Endrick. But Real Madrid won the race, beating Chelsea, Liverpool, and several other clubs to his signature. The 17-year-old Brazilian international will arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer transfer window, kick-starting an exciting new era in Brazilian and European football.
