15-year-old superstar-in-the-making Endrick has said to that he won’t be leaving Palmeiras.
Liverpool have been reported as one of the clubs interested in bringing the teenager to Europe. But as per Endrick’s quotes to TNT Sports Brazil (as translated by Mundo Deportivo) The Reds now look set to miss out.
For now, at least.
“I have to focus on Palmeiras, where I want to become an idol. I’m going to stay at Palmeiras for quite some time; I think I can give a lot of joy to the fans,” said the youngster.
“There are many stories of players who played very well at the base and then came to the first team and did nothing. I’m not older than anyone else and I have to work harder than everyone else to have a brilliant career.”
Wise words from a player who has already been dubbed ‘special’ by the likes of Gary Lineker on Twitter.
Those superlatives, and the links to Liverpool (Yahoo Esportes), came off the back of some scintillating performances for Palmeiras’ during the Copa Sao Paulo.
Liverpool scouts were in attendance to see the ridiculously good outside-of-the-box overhead kick he scored during the competitions semi-final (BBC Sport).
Feet on the ground
As you might expect at 15-years-old, Endrick is still yet to taste first team action. That could all change when he is able to sign his first professional contract with Palmeiras upon his 16th birthday in July.
He won’t be allowed to sign for a European club for another two years, when he turns 18.
If he continues catching the eye in the manner he has in the youth teams, Endrick will be in high demand come summer 2024.
Of course, that date is already writ large in the minds of Liverpool fans. Jurgen Klopp’s current deal is due to expire around the same time Endrick turns 18.
If Liverpool manage to fight themselves to the front of the queue for a player who has been likened to both Ronaldo and Romario, maybe it could tip the balance for Klopp to stay.
The Reds already have one of the premier young talent’s in world football, Harvey Elliott.
With the likes of Curtis Jones and Kaide Gordon also in the ranks, and links persisting with Jude Bellingham, Klopp has the basis for his next great team.
Adding a player of the potential ability of Endrick to the mix would surely be too good tempting a prospect for the manager to turn down.
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