Endrick wants out of Real Madrid, Florentino open only to loan — Roma in pole position

Robinio Vaz has had limited playing time since joining Hull City on loan in August, with only eight minutes against Chelsea and twelve against Newcastle to his name so far this season, plus a subdued showing in the Curaçao Cup. The French midfielder has moved between benches at Marseille, Roma and now Hull City, where he arrived on a temporary deal with a buyout option. Vaz joined Roma in January on a €22 million transfer at the behest of Massara, but failed to win over head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who opted to send him out on loan rather than allow his valuation to diminish further. The club structured the deal as a €2 million loan fee coupled with a €30 million buyout clause for Hull City, which carries no performance or appearance conditions—it depends solely on the English club's judgment of the player. Despite injuries to Hull's Gelhardt and Ansah, Vaz has not broken into their starting hierarchy. The arrangement came at a time when Vaz also faced racist abuse on social media, prompting Hull City to issue a statement in his defence. The hope now, whether or not the buyout is triggered, is that the midfielder finds regular football in England and can rebuild his career after a difficult spell at the Stadio Olimpico.

Endrick remains a target for both Roma and AC Milan this winter, but the Brazilian forward has reportedly already committed to Gasperini, tilting the balance in the Giallorossi's favour. The 22-year-old was expected to move during the summer, but José Mourinho convinced him to stay at Real Madrid, where he has been hampered by a muscle injury and limited playing time. Roma's interest intensifies as Endrick's situation mirrors his loan move to Lyon in January 2025, when Gasperini also saw him as a secondary striker rather than a primary forward—a role in which he scored 8 goals in 23 matches and contributed substantially to Lyon's Champions League qualification. Roc Nation, Endrick's agency, maintains strong relations with both Roma and AC Milan owner Jerry Cardinale, but the player's previous commitment to Gasperini last summer could prove decisive. Mourinho, who blocked his departure to Rome last August, is no longer opposed to the move, according to Corriere dello Sport. The remaining question concerns the transfer structure: whether Roma would pursue a long-term loan with a purchase option, insist on an obligation to buy, or settle for a straightforward loan. Roma has historically resisted subsidising other clubs' players, but January offers opportunities that can shift decision-making.

Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico has reopened contact with the representatives of Endrick, Real Madrid's Brazilian forward, during the international break to explore the 18-year-old's availability. Endrick has indicated openness to joining Roma, though AC Milan remain active competitors for his signature. Both clubs had conducted extensive checks on the player during the summer transfer window, but then-Real Madrid manager José Mourinho blocked any departure. Endrick's opening weeks at Madrid have been hampered by a muscle injury that disrupted his pre-season. The left-footed Brazilian has accumulated only four minutes of competitive football in the white shirt, a shortage of playing time that has prompted him to consider alternative options. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has identified the player as his preferred solution to a long-standing search for an attacking midfielder to operate on the centre-left, behind the main striker. Gasperini envisions using Endrick in that hybrid role to support play and create chances for Donyell Malen, a pairing the coach believes would deliver unpredictability, acceleration and lethal finishing. Roma are studying a deal structure centred on a loan with a purchase option, a formula consistent with the club's commitment to financial balance. The opportunities to accelerate negotiations will come soon: Roma and Real Madrid meet at the Stadio Olimpico on 14 October for a Champions League match. The arrival of Real Madrid's leadership in the capital will allow D'Amico to enter substantive talks and attempt to move the transfer forward.