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‘Crikey’: Gary Lineker reacts to footage of ‘special’ Liverpool and Manchester City target

Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage
Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: Kevin de Bruyne of Manchester City shoots past Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on October 3, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images

Gary Lineker has taken to Twitter to react after watching footage of Palmeiras wonderkid Endrick, who Liverpool and Manchester City are watching.

What’s the story?

Well, it was Yahoo Esportes who revealed that Liverpool and Manchester City are interested in the 15-year-old sensation.

Now, Lineker has been alerted to the talents of a player who looks set to follow in the footsteps of Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Neymar Jr.

The teenage prodigy has scored some ridiculous goals in the past month, and his latest wonderstrike – a bicycle kick from outside the box – has left the BBC Match of the Day host stunned.

You can see what Lineker tweeted in full below.

At the time of their report, Yahoo Esportes claimed that Endrick has scored 165 goals in 169 games in the Palmeiras youth ranks.

That is an utterly absurd record, so it’s no surprise to see Jürgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola take an interest in this fascinating prospect.

Yahoo Esportes add that Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United have also enquired about Endrick.

Liverpool and Manchester City must act now

FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF IMAGES - Image numbers 1185731661, 1298854772 - GRADIENT ADDED) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool (L) and Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City. Liverpool and Manchester City meet in a Premier League fixture on February 7,2021 at Anfield in Liverpool, England.  ***LEFT IMAGE*** LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool looks on prior to the UEFA Champions’ League group E match between Liverpool FC and KRC Genk at Anfield on November 05, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 26: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City looks on during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City at The Hawthorns on January 26, 2021 in West Bromwich, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

When a Brazilian youngster starts to deliver the goods, their price tag soars into astronomical regions.

Just look at Vinicius Jr, who dazzled for Flamengo before Real Madrid came calling, and parted with £40m to sign him when he was only 16.

Los Blancos also spent big on another Brazilian teenager in Rodrygo, who they signed for £37m at the age of 17.

Clearly, Liverpool and Manchester City should start throwing money at Palmeiras now, before Endrick’s valuation soars.

VITORIA-GASTEIZ, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 30: Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid CF looks on from the bench prior to the Liga match between Deportivo Alaves and Real Madrid CF at Estadio de Mendizorroza on November 30, 2019 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Of course, given his age, Endrick cannot sign a professional contract just yet.

However, the Reds or the Citizens could probably arrange something with Palmeiras to ensure they have first dibs when he turns 16.

If not, then they may both be forced to watch with regret as Endrick follows Neymar Jr’s lead and becomes a £200m footballer – only time will tell.