Gasperini wants Friedkins closer to Roma as January market approaches

Real Madrid forward Endrick has sent fresh signals in the transfer market, and Roma are watching closely. The Brazilian has been one of the players most admired by Gian Piero Gasperini, who had identified him in the previous transfer window as a possible addition to complete the attack. In the summer, however, the move never really took off. José Mourinho had vetoed Endrick's departure, wanting to keep him in the Real Madrid squad. The following months did not give the Brazilian the space he had hoped for, and the question of his future has returned to the fore as January approaches. The central issue is playing time. Endrick wants to play with greater continuity and does not appear set on ruling out a departure if it were the best solution for his development. Asked about his future, according to Fabrizio Romano, the forward said: "I'm only 20 years old, so I'll see how things evolve. I just want to play, be happy and help my teammates." His position became more interesting when the conversation turned directly to the winter market: "I don't know what will happen in January; it is in God's hands. I only ask for what is best for my career. Whatever is meant to happen, will happen. I will keep my feet on the ground and continue to give my absolute best. Madrid is a wonderful city, but I will always do everything necessary to advance my career." Those words do not amount to a request to leave, but they clearly leave the door open to a new experience. Roma remain interested. Gasperini has been asking for a further attacking reinforcement since arriving at Trigoria, and Endrick continues to represent a profile especially welcomed by the club. Much will depend on the intentions of Real Madrid and the conditions of any possible deal. Compared with the summer, however, there is a substantial difference: this time the player himself is placing the need to play at the centre of his thinking.

Real Madrid forward Endrick has opened the door to a January exit, saying he does not know what will happen when the window opens but that he wants to play more football. Roma have kept a close eye on the Brazilian in the transfer market, having pursued him for a long time over the summer. Endrick has scored his only goal of the season against Roma, and he is finding very little game time under Mourinho, who has repeatedly said he has faith in the young striker. A loan move in January remains a concrete option, both because the 2006-born player wants more regular football and because Real Madrid want him to gain experience through a loan deal. For Roma, the situation keeps Endrick on the list of targets they are monitoring as the winter window approaches. Speaking to GloboEsporte, Endrick said: "I'm only 20 years old, so I'll see how things evolve. I just want to play, be happy and help my teammates. I don't know what will happen in January; it's in God's hands. I only ask for what is best for my career." He added: "Whatever is meant to happen, will happen. I will keep my feet on the ground and continue to give my absolute best. Madrid is a wonderful city, but I will always do everything necessary to advance my career."

Lorenzo Pellegrini has decided against surgery on his fresh muscle injury, choosing to risk a further setback in order to try to be available for the second half of the season. The midfielder suffered the injury only two days after his last football post, which came on 18 October following Roma's win over Genoa, in which he wrote: "Vittoria importante per il nostro cammino e...minuti fondamentali in campo per il mio cammino." The setback came with the Slovan fixture, and it halts a comeback that had been building. The injury is more serious than his previous muscle problem. Pellegrini faced two options: recovery, which would take around three months and would not protect him from relapses, or surgery, which might solve the problem but would effectively end his season. He has opted against the operation. Roma's midfielder has been without fresh public comment, and the silence reflects his disappointment at stopping again at the start of his road back to fitness. Pellegrini has played 72 minutes in Serie A and 78 in the Champions League this season. His contract expires again in June, and this time there are very few chances of a renewal. He accepted a one-year deal with a sharply reduced salary, and he is keen to help silence critics and to convince the Friedkin Group that he can still be useful in the future. Reports suggest a move away at the end of the year is highly likely, and Besiktas and Juventus knocked on the door last summer, but he did not entertain those offers then and is not considering them now. For now, he will cheer on his team before making one last attempt to return.