CaughtOffside reported on November 11 that Arsenal are weighing a January loan move for Real Madrid forward Endrick as cover for the injured Bukayo Saka, with sporting director Andrea Berta’s contacts with the Brazilian’s representatives flagged as a potential facilitator.

The report, which cites talkSPORT, adds that Arsenal are not currently pushing hard for a deal, and that Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Tottenham hold firmer interest.

Real Madrid are not keen to sanction a permanent sale, so any January move would most likely take the shape of a straight loan rather than a deal involving an option to buy.

Endrick’s minutes problem under Mourinho

The 20-year-old has struggled for playing time under José Mourinho at the Bernabéu, and he addressed the situation after Real Madrid’s 4-3 Champions League comeback win over Roma on October 15, in which he came off the bench, provided an assist and scored the equaliser before being named Man of the Match.

Read also: Seven stitches in her ankle: Simmers battles back between heats to win Cloud 9 final

“I am sure Mourinho does what is best for the team. If I have to play, I will. If not, I won’t,” Endrick told reporters at the Stadio Olimpico, as relayed by Get Football News Spain.

That outing was only his second appearance of the season at that point, underlining how limited his role has been in the opening weeks of the campaign.

The Saka injury that opened the door

Arsenal’s search for attacking cover traces to a quad injury Bukayo Saka picked up after just 10 minutes of the Champions League meeting with Bayern Munich.

Manager Mikel Arteta said the forward needs a further scan before a return date can be set, with early fears suggesting he could be out for up to eight weeks.

Read also: Jose Mourinho reveals what he told Valencia boss after 3-0 win

“He needed another scan to see how the amount of fluid that was there was resolving, whether the tendon is touched and how badly it is touched,” Arteta told reporters, as quoted by Yahoo Sports.

As of the November 2 update, Saka had missed three Arsenal games in all competitions since the injury, with no definite timeline in place.

Read also: Nine goals to Kane’s four: How West Ham’s Niclas Füllkrug became the Bundesliga’s top scorer