Roma chase Real Madrid's Endrick in battle with Milan

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.

Endrick has emerged as one of Roma's primary targets for January, with Real Madrid now willing to let the Brazilian depart on loan after months of resistance. Sporting director Tony D'Amico has reactivated contact with the player's representatives during the international break, and the forward has indicated interest in joining Roma. Real Madrid's change of stance represents a significant shift from the summer, when José Mourinho blocked the move; the club's reluctance then contrasts sharply with their current openness, driven partly by Endrick's minimal playing time—he has managed only four minutes across La Liga and the Champions League this season, hampered by a muscular injury. Roma's preferred structure would be a loan with a right of purchase, a formula that aligns with the club's current financial parameters. However, the specific terms of any redemption clause remain to be negotiated. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has given Endrick his full approval. The player, a left-footed attacker capable of operating behind the striker or as an outright forward, can provide the depth at attacking positions that Gasperini has consistently sought. He could complement Donyell Malen and add a different profile to Roma's forward line. Milan also retains interest in signing Endrick, though Roma hold the advantage after the player signalled his preference for a move to the capital. The timeline could accelerate on 14 October, when Real Madrid visit the Olimpico for a Champions League fixture—a visit that could allow the Spanish club's hierarchy to discuss the matter directly with Roma's leadership. D'Amico is keeping multiple options alive. Giorgi Kvernadze remains under observation, while Jamie Gittens and Jamie Leweling, both long tracked by Roma, are reportedly available from their current clubs. Endrick has become the warmest lead, with several factors now aligning that prevented a deal in the summer: the player's desire for regular football, his limited opportunities at Madrid, and Real Madrid's newfound willingness to negotiate his departure.

Roma's chief executive John Galantic has pledged to head coach Gian Piero Gasperini that the club will sign an attacking winger in the January transfer window to complete the squad. The position has been unfilled for fifteen months despite an extensive summer search for high-level profiles. With the forward line already competitive, the aim is to add an unpredictable offensive element that has been a long-standing priority. Roma have moved decisively into the race for Endrick, Real Madrid's 2006-born Brazilian talent. The winger has accumulated only 44 minutes across the start of this season under Carlo Ancelotti and faces a shortage of opportunities, prompting Madrid to evaluate a temporary departure that would allow him regular playing time. Roma are preparing a loan offer to persuade the Spanish club to release the youngster to the capital. If the Madrid path becomes complicated due to transfer formulas, Roma maintains several alternatives. Giorgi Kvernadze, the Georgian winger, has impressed in an early Serie B run with Frosinone, delivering three goals and one assist in his first five appearances. Frosinone president Stirpe values Kvernadze between €10 and €12 million. Roma continues to monitor other profiles targeted in the late stages of the summer window—Luiz Henrique, Jamie Gittens and Jamie Leweling—names for which the club had set aside a budget of approximately €35 million. These players could return to relevance if loan-with-option-to-buy arrangements became available under the right conditions.