Aston Villa have made contact with Real Madrid over a loan move for Brazil forward Endrick, with the Birmingham club putting forward a concrete proposal as they look to strengthen their attacking options before the window shuts on 1 September.
Unai Emery's side had been monitoring the 20-year-old's situation at the Bernabeu, where he has struggled to earn consistent first-team minutes. Villa's interest has now moved beyond observation, with representatives of the player also having been sounded out over a potential switch to the Premier League.
Roma had previously been considered the leading candidates for Endrick's signature, with the Giallorossi positioning themselves on the assumption that Real Madrid would sanction a loan arrangement. Villa's entry into the running means the Italian club now face serious competition for the deal.
Real Madrid are understood to want any loan destination to be a Champions League club where Endrick can operate primarily as a number nine. Villa, who finished fourth in the Premier League last season and are also set to face Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup, satisfy that requirement. Roma equally fit the profile, leaving the decision finely balanced.
Endrick's appetite for a move is not in question. His loan stint at Lyon in the second half of last season proved the value of regular football, the forward producing 16 goal contributions in 21 matches across all competitions. Real Madrid paid €35m to sign him from Palmeiras, with up to a further €25m available in add-ons, and are prepared to cover part of his €5m-per-season salary to make any loan workable for a receiving club.
The Spanish club's new head coach initially preferred to keep Endrick in the squad, but has since opened the door to a temporary departure given the limited minutes on offer. Endrick himself is keen to secure sufficient playing time ahead of the 2026 World Cup under Carlo Ancelotti.
Villa's need for attacking reinforcement has sharpened following the departure of Morgan Rogers to Chelsea in a £117m deal. Ollie Watkins finished last term as the club's leading scorer with 21 goals across all competitions, and Emery wants a striker capable of deputising for the England forward. Endrick's ability to play centrally or out wide adds to his appeal.
Emery has already been active in the market this summer, completing the club-record signing of Johan Manzambi from Freiburg, bringing in midfielder Joao Gomes from Wolves, and adding Alejandro Garnacho on loan from Chelsea. Youngster Modou Keba Cisse has also arrived from Austrian club LASK, while a £17m deal for left-back Matteo Ruggeri is close to completion.
Beyond Villa and Roma, Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham are also prepared to take Endrick on a straight loan, while Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked with a loan that includes an option to buy.
Reporting: Football Italia, GiveMeSport, CaughtOffside, BBC Sport, The Sun, talkSPORT.