Roma monitor Endrick and Lookman as Real Madrid pair seek playing time

Arsenal have entered the race for Endrick, joining Milan and Sporting in pursuit of the Brazilian forward, according to English outlet TeamTalk. The Premier League champions have returned to negotiations for the Real Madrid striker in recent weeks, and Mikel Arteta has never given up on the player and is pushing for a fresh attempt in January. Unlike other clubs, such as Roma, Arsenal do not intend to complete a straight loan deal. They are exploring the option of including a technical counterpart, Zubimendi, and securing an option or obligation to buy in order to keep Endrick at the club for the long term. The appeal of the Premier League could change the 2006-born Brazilian's mind, but he still holds Roma and Gasperini in high regard after facing the Giallorossi at the Olimpico. He has also appreciated their attacking style of football, in which he believes he would fit in perfectly and be able to express his qualities. The report suggests Endrick's admiration for Roma and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini remains strong, even as English interest grows. Arsenal's pursuit is built around a structured deal rather than a short-term loan, which sets their approach apart from the Giallorossi's interest.

Journalist Matteo Moretto has said Roma are the principal Italian club pursuing Real Madrid forward Endrick, and that the Brazilian is 70% likely to leave on loan in the January window. Speaking on DAZN Spain, Moretto said the player's own wishes could prove decisive in persuading Real Madrid to open the door to a transfer. Endrick, who was born in 2006, wants more regular game time and would welcome a new experience away from the Spanish capital, as he did last season with his loan at Olympique Lyonnais. Moretto said: "If Madrid were to give the go-ahead for a loan transfer, especially Mourinho, I think what will make the difference is the will of the boy. If Endrick asks to be sold in order to play more, then it can be done." He suggested the deal could move forward if the player formally requested to leave. The journalist put a figure on the chances, saying: "I'd say he will be loaned out at 70%." The assessment is significant, given that only a few weeks ago José Mourinho publicly expressed his wish to keep the Brazilian at Real Madrid for the second half of the season. According to Moretto, Roma are ahead of AC Milan in the race for Endrick in Italy. Sporting director Tony D'Amico has followed the player for some time and watched him closely in the Champions League match against Real Madrid at the Olimpico, where Endrick scored one of the goals in Spain's comeback. AC Milan remain interested, as do several Premier League clubs and Portuguese sides. Moretto stressed that Roma are the Italian club most interested, without indicating that any agreement has been reached. The final decision will depend as much on the player as on Real Madrid's willingness to accept a loan. The need for regular minutes has become a priority for the 20-year-old, particularly with an eye on his international future. Endrick wants to keep developing and to convince Carlo Ancelotti to give him a bigger role with Brazil. His limited playing time at Real Madrid risks slowing that progress, which is why a further loan, following his positive spell at Lyon, is a concrete option. For Gian Piero Gasperini, Endrick would be a high-quality addition to an attack the coach still considers short in numbers. D'Amico is also evaluating other profiles, including Jamie Gittens of Chelsea, but the chance to secure a player of Endrick's calibre on loan remains particularly attractive to Roma, given the financial constraints shaping the club's market. Roma continue to work on the lead, but the decisive step will be a formal transfer request from the Brazilian. At that point, Mourinho and the Spanish club will have to decide whether they are willing to let him leave. D'Amico is keeping watch, hoping to finally complete a deal that fell through last summer.

Chelsea have reportedly opened the door to loaning out winger Jamie Gittens, and Roma could make a renewed push for the 22-year-old after Chelsea rejected an approach in early September. Football Insider reports that the Blues would be willing to let him leave as early as January. Gittens is one of several names on sporting director D'Amico's shortlist to strengthen Roma's attack, alongside Endrick and Lookman. According to the report, Gasperini's preference remains the Real Madrid Brazilian Endrick, who is still considered the frontrunner. Gittens is well regarded at Trigoria, but he has yet to play a single minute in the Premier League. Unlike other candidates, there are serious doubts about his physical fitness after yet another ankle injury that has slowed his development following three outstanding seasons at Borussia Dortmund.