Madrid, Spain – Real Madrid are in advanced negotiations with Olympique Lyonnais to loan 19-year-old forward Endrick for the remainder of the 2024–25 season, sources have confirmed.
The Brazilian prodigy, who joined Los Blancos from Palmeiras in the summer of 2024, has featured for just 14 minutes under manager Xabi Alonso this term and is seeking regular first-team football to accelerate his development and revive his international prospects.
A short-term move to the Ligue 1 side is understood to be close to completion, with an agreement expected before the January transfer window opens.
Endrick made an immediate impact in his debut campaign, scoring seven goals across all competitions and displaying flashes of the explosive talent that made him one of the world’s most coveted teenagers. Despite settling well in Madrid—both on and off the pitch—sources close to the player acknowledge that consistent minutes are now critical.
“He’s happy in Spain, but he knows he needs to play,” a source told The Athletic. “This isn’t about leaving Real Madrid—it’s about coming back stronger.”
The loan is viewed as a strategic step to ensure Endrick remains in contention for Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad. The forward has earned 14 senior caps but has fallen out of favor under national team manager Carlo Ancelotti (no relation to Real’s former coach), largely due to his limited club exposure.
Lyon, currently pushing for a European spot under Paulo Fonseca, are seen as an ideal destination: a competitive league, a progressive coach, and a platform to showcase his finishing and movement in a system that favors young attackers.
Several other European clubs had expressed interest, but Lyon’s proactive approach and Real Madrid’s preference for a controlled environment have edged the French club to the front of the queue.
No purchase option is expected to be included in the deal, with Real Madrid retaining full control over Endrick’s long-term future. The club remains committed to his development as a cornerstone of their post-Mbappé era attack.
The move, if finalized, will see Endrick depart the Santiago Bernabéu temporarily in January—with the clear objective of returning in the summer as a more polished, confident, and World Cup-ready striker.
