Liverpool thought about buying Endrick outright this summer.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the Anfield club looked at a permanent move for the Real Madrid forward in the last transfer window, only for the Spanish side to refuse to engage.
“Liverpool were thinking of Endrick, even to buy Endrick at some point. But Real Madrid closed the doors to loan and permanent transfer approaches,” Romano said, in an update picked up by Caught Offside.
The Italian reporter stressed that nothing ever reached the stage of a formal bid.
Read also: Erling Haaland set to surpass Manchester United legend in Champions League record books
“Liverpool were keen on Endrick, but that’s it, they never presented any sort of proposal.”
“For Real Madrid, it was not possible to touch the player.”
Four minutes under Mourinho
Three months on, the picture has shifted. Endrick has played just four minutes in LaLiga this season under José Mourinho, as summarised by Football365 in its account of Romano’s October update.
Romano believes the next few weeks will decide whether the 20-year-old stays or pushes for a mid-season exit.
Read also: Michael Owen raises major Liverpool concern after Man City humiliation: “It is a problem”
“The amount of playing time he gets in the next two months will be crucial in determining whether he finishes the season in Madrid or seeks a loan move.”
Real Madrid are reportedly willing to sanction a January loan if the situation does not change, but reluctant to attach a buy option to any deal, keeping control over the forward’s long-term future at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Villa, Roma and Milan all got the same no
Liverpool were not the only club turned away. Aston Villa, Roma and AC Milan were also rebuffed when they approached Real Madrid in the summer, according to Yahoo Sports’ coverage of Romano’s remarks.
If Endrick is still on four minutes at the turn of the year, Real Madrid may have little choice but to let him leave temporarily, with Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool side first in the queue.
Read also: Chelsea told what it will take to land Barcelona star in January
Read also: Spain’s federation moves to protect its referees as Real Madrid turn up the heat before Clasico
