The transfer of Endrick
There was a lot of competition for Endrick, especially by Barca, but Real Madrid seems to be the preferred destination. The clubs that have been approaching both the player and Palmeiras have had lukewarm responses about the possibility of signing him. They have dragged their feet and one of the first to do so was Barcelona. Xavi Hernandez surprised everyone when on arrival in Doha he openly acknowledged Barcelona's interest in signing the 16-year-old striker, only to let it slip days later that the signing will be almost impossible.
Real Madrid and Palmeiras have reached an agreement for the signing of Endrick. The transfer, however, has been left pending a bureaucratic issue that is expected to be overcome but for which the green light from FIFA must be obtained. FIFA have recently tightened the conditions for this type of transfer and the situation is being analyzed. The reason is that there has been a setback in a first attempt to enter the data into the FIFA TMS, the FIFA Transfer Matching System, which is the platform enabled for this purpose.
Right now, for the rest of the procedure to go through, this point needs to be solved. It is believed that this will be achieved, but caution is required due to the risk of sporting and financial sanctions. Otherwise, the understanding is complete. Endrick, with proposals from clubs all over Europe, including Barcelona, PSG and Chelsea, has always prioritized moving to Los Blancos.
The Brazilian teenager has grown up idolizing Cristiano Ronaldo and Vinicius, as he confessed in an interview with MARCA in January, and also shares a representation agency with his compatriot, which has facilitated the process. So have the examples of Vinicius or Rodrygo's own progress.
Endrick will sign for three years because that is the maximum allowed by current regulations. However, there is a pact for between all parties to increase it to six. It would start to count from 2024, when he would reach 18 and can move to Europe, and would be extended until 2030.
As for the figures of the operation, the deal is for around 35 million euros fixed plus 25 in bonuses. That is to say, in the best scenario Endrick would cost 60 million, a sum that Real Madrid would willingly disburse because it would mean that the young pearl would fulfil the progress expected of him.
Other players, the absence in January’s market and the limited intervention in summer 2023
Even if two or three players from the current Real Madrid squad are set to leave, there is quite a great possibility to make no new signings except for that of Endrick, which is getting closer every day, but who won't arrive before the summer of 2024 as stated above. The first to admit that the door is closed to transfers in January was Carlo Ancelotti, in a clear message of confidence towards his squad as well as to the agents who are using the World Cup as a chance to offer their stars around.
The list of players offered in the last days has gathered some big names, like that of Rafael Leao, a player whose name has been put on the table on several occasions by his agent, Jorge Mendes. But Madrid's answer has always been no. Another is Cody Gakpo of PSV, who has been linked and offered to Real Madrid, but at no time has he appeared on the radar of the Madrid club's decision makers. The third player linked is young Alejandro Garnacho, whose contract with Manchester United ends at the end of the season. Real Madrid has received the offer but, as has happened in the other cases described, there is no interest on the part of Real Madrid to sign him.
Regarding the exits, as reported by Marca, Mariano Diaz, Alvaro Odriozola and Eden Hazard do not count in Ancelotti’s plans and the club invites them to listen to proposals, but for the moment they have not shown any sign of making a move in that regard. It is almost 100% certain that they will continue with Real Madrid until the arrival of summer and then move out.
Hazard is the all-time record signing for Real Madrid but it is safe to say that his time at the club has been a complete disappointment. This World Cup was seen as his last chance to show that he was still capable of performing at the top level. He failed to do that though and has since retired from international football. Real Madrid could do with some more youth at right-back but Odriozola does not look like the guy who will provide that and he has not been used at all. Mariano’s return to the club has been a failure as well and he is expected to be on his way out sooner or later, with his contract running out.
Reports on Enzo Fernandez as Bellingham seems unlikely to move out of England
Liverpool have been handed a boost in their long-standing pursuit of Jude Bellingham, with Real Madrid now ready to move for Enzo Fernandez instead. The Reds are among the clubs hoping to entice Bellingham to their club in the next few windows. Multiple reports have placed Liverpool at the front of the queue as things stand.
On the other hand, 'El Debate' reports on the ways Real Madrid are considering a hypothetical move for Enzo Fernandez, the Benfica player who is excelling in the World Cup with the Argentina national team. Enzo Fernandez, unconcerned by these reports, be they about Real Madrid or about any other suitors, is however focused on trying to win the World Cup in Qatar with Argentina.
Benfica, his owner, are looking to get 120 million euros for his hypothetical transfer. The 'Merengues' do not want to offer more than 80 and do not rule out putting on the table 70 plus the transfer of Reinier, who gave much to talk about when he landed in Spain from Flamengo, but who, so far, has not got space in Carlo Ancelotti's line-ups. He is currently on loan at Girona.
It makes sense that the Madrid side do not want to spend so much money on this front. Lately, they have only done so when they have been sure that their investment will pay off. For example, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, both of whom are highly promising and will provide 'Los Blancos' with a guaranteed generational replacement for Toni Kroos and Luka Modric unless they suffer an unexpected slump.
Igor Joviceciv’s words on Josko Gvardiol
Real Madrid are reportedly ready to open a bidding war for Chelsea transfer target Josko Gvardiol. Chelsea have been strongly linked with a move for Gvardiol but Real Madrid, Manchester City and Barcelona are also interested in the 20-year-old. Reports in Spain claim Real Madrid are preparing a bid of around £78million to steal a march on their rivals in the race to sign one of the biggest prospects in world football.
If the ongoing 2022 World Cup in Qatar were to hand out an award for the tournament's best defender, the RB Leipzig defender would lead the nominations. The Croatia centre-back is currently third on the clearance chart with 25, fourth in interceptions with seven, ninth in terms of passes, 318, and has the fifteenth most recoveries with 30 so far in the World Cup.
Shakhtar Donetsk coach and former Castilla player, Igor Jovicevic, who during his time at Dinamo Zagreb, was like a 'sporting father' to Gvardiol has spoken for MARCA on how the Croatian could become the world's most expensive defender in history.
He said: "He was in the youth team and I thought he was so good that I took him straight to the team with me. He was 16 years old and already playing in the second division. The workload was very heavy, but he could handle it. We quickly realised that he was going to be a top centre-back. I understand that people miss him... but for those of us who know him closely, it's been more than three years since he stopped surprising us. The World Cup, for Josko, is just another day at the office. He grows in every game”.
Jovicevic also drew a parallel between Gvardiol and another legendary center back, Sergio Ramos, saying: “He had a personality unbefitting his age. He reminds me of Sergio Ramos. If he misses, he picks himself up. I'm a coach who believes in young players. If you see a player with that potential you have to stick with him at any cost, even if the price is that you get sacked. Time, fortunately, has proved me right. I have a great relationship with Josko and every time I see him play, I feel gratitude”.
Jovicevic, believes Gvardiol has the ability to succeed at Real Madrid, with the player offering an array of unique talents: "Tell me, at the age of 20, what defender can you find with that solidity and that mentality, who offers immediate performance and, at the same time, has so much potential for improvement?" he asked rhetorically.
He continued: "And, on top of that, he's left-footed, which there aren't many. He can play as a centre-back in a line of three and in a line of four, as a left-back... he comes out driving and almost gets into the opponent's box. He is a 'chosen one'. He could play for any top club. PSG, Barcelona, if it were up to me, I would want him go to Real Madrid. I don't want to hear about anything else. What's more, I'm surprised that Real Madrid didn't sign him two or three years ago, although I also understand that they waited for him to mature a bit more”.
However, Gvardiol’s agent has said the Croatia star is in no rush to leave Leipzig. Speaking to Sky Sports Germany earlier this week, Marjan Sisic said: “Regarding a possible transfer in the summer of 2023 we are not in a hurry. I can also make it clear that there are no pre-agreements with any clubs. For sure, a lot of top clubs are informed about him but Josko has a long-term contract in Leipzig. Josko feels totally happy in Leipzig. His development is amazing and RB are playing very well under Marco Rose”. Gvardiol joined Leipzig in 2021 for 18.80 million and the price touted for his next move is set to be astronomical.
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