Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Newcastle are reportedly set to go head to head in the race to sign 16-year-old Palmeiras whizkid Endrick.
According to Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola via his YouTube channel, as relayed by The Sun, Premier League sides Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Newcastle United are all preparing to submit bids for the 16-year-old Brazilian teenage sensation Endrick in the coming transfer windows.
The 16-year-old prodigy joined Palmeiras’ youth team at the age of 11 and has been making waves in age groups well beyond his years, racking up a staggering 165 goals for the club’s youth team.
The outrageously talented left-footed forward is widely regarded as the next big thing in Brazilian football after his exploits earlier this year at the Copinha tournament—Brazil’s most prestigious youth competition—where he bagged the Player of the Tournament award after finishing as top-scorer with six goals in seven games, despite being only 15-years-old in an Under-21 competition.
He also went viral for his outrageous bicycle kick from outside the penalty are during the tournament. He has drawn comparisons with legendary strikers Ronaldo Nazario and Romario thanks to his powerful shots, searing pace, and natural dribbling and finishing ability.
Stop that Endrick. pic.twitter.com/cQGQBnPYoP
— Stop That Football (@stopthatfooty) August 29, 2022
He has been one of the consistent performers in the youth divisions of Brazilian football and it appears a full debut could soon be on the horizon, with him already training with Palmeiras’ senior side and having made the bench previously.
The teenage striker signed his first professional deal when he turned 16 in July 2022, putting pen to paper on a three-year deal with a £35 million initial release clause inserted in the contract to control Palmeiras leverage in a potential sale.
It is widely believed that his buy-out clause will increase significantly year-on-year throughout his contract to £50 million in 2024. Understandably, a host of Premier League clubs are keen to get a deal in place as quickly as possible, even though the player will not be eligible to move to England until he turns 18.
Manchester United, for one, have been keeping an eye on the teenager since he broke onto the scene in his homeland. Their interest in Endrick should come as no surprise, given their track record of spending big on young stars, signing Facundo Pellestri and Amad Diallo in deadline-day deals two years back.
Last summer, they missed out on signing priority target Benjamin Sesko from RB Salzburg as a long-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo. The Red Devils’ boss, Erik ten Hag, has built his reputation on nurturing emerging stars, so adding someone with a high ceiling like Endrick would be a wise long-term investment.
Tottenham have also emerged as contenders to sign Endrick amid Harry Kane to Bayern Munich rumours. Newcastle United, meanwhile, are scouting extensively in South America, having been linked to a number of Brazilian prospects, including Andrey Santos, and Angelo Gabriel in recent times.
With both Chris Wood and Callum Wilson into their thirties, the Magpies are looking to add another young forward to their striking department after singing Alexander Isak last summer. To that end, Endrick would be a star addition to the club’s ranks.
Apart from the aforementioned Premier League clubs, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and Barcelona are all thought to be eager to sign Endrick.