Palmeiras wonderkid Endrick de Souza has opened the door to a potential £35 million Premier League move, the Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Arsenal target telling EFE that he likes England and ‘dreams’ of playing in Europe.
Endrick wasn’t even born when Ronaldo’s Brazil were knocked out of the 2006 World Cup at the quarter-final stage by France. But that has not stopped one of the greatest forwards in Selecao history from suggesting that a player who only turned 16 a couple of months ago should have a seat booked on a plane bound for Qatar.
“If I had to choose one, I’d choose Endrick,” Ronaldo, the World Cup’s all-time record goalscorer, said this week. “It would be a sensational experience for him. For the future of the Brazilian team.”
Ronaldo would not get his wish, however; head coach Tite opting instead for more proven forwards such as Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, Antony and Gabriel Martinelli. Nonetheless, it seems only a matter of time before Endrick, labelled a ‘generational talent’ and a ‘phenomenon’ by Arsenal’s Jesus, is bamboozling defenders with his outrageous technical ability on the biggest of stages.
Will Liverpool, Arsenal or Tottenham win the race for Brazil wonderkid Endrick?
“Obviously my dream is to play in Europe,” explains Endrick.
He certainly won’t be short of options. The teenager will leave Brazil when he turns 18, and will find himself in a rather unique position of being able to take his pick of Europe’s biggest and best. Per Marca, Real Madrid are readying a bid for the £35 million-rated wonderkid.
Jorge Nicola believes Tottenham and Newcastle United are also in the race, while Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and even Southampton are keeping tabs on arguably South America’s most coveted youngster (BBC).
“I’m focused here. I am not looking at the (rumours). Or what teams are coming, or what scouts are coming. I’m focused on Palmeiras,” Endrick adds, refusing to let all the speculation get to his head.
“I’ve got no preference for any team. I study Spanish, English and French because I like learning new things. I went to Madrid with my family and I really liked the language (but) I also liked England a lot.”
“(But) my present is here. I want to play for Palmeiras and win titles. Three goals and an assist in five games? I think I have to work harder.”
Endrick, who averages more than a goal a game for Brazil at youth level, will have to wait until his 18th birthday in the summer of 2024 before he can officially sign terms with a European club.
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