Endrick is back in transfer talk after fresh reports linked the Real Madrid forward with Arsenal, but the strongest reporting says the Gunners are not actually in the race. The same noise has dragged Martín Zubimendi into a possible swap route the other way, even though there is still no decision on a January move for the Brazilian.

Madrid uncertainty and the Arsenal link

The story starts with Endrick’s situation at Madrid. He is 20 years old, yet his league involvement has been limited to 84 La Liga minutes in 4 appearances this season, with 56 minutes and 1 goal in 3 Champions League outings. Across both competitions he has played 140 minutes, which is why his future keeps coming back into view.

Mario Cortegana of The Athletic, quoted by teamtalk.com, said: "No decision has been made for Endrick to leave in January, but if over the next month it looks unlikely he will be playing more regularly then he would push for that option, sources said."

He added that media reports linking Endrick with Arsenal or Sporting CP were "described as untrue by multiple sources familiar with the situation." That lines up with A Bola saying Sporting CP are out of the race, which leaves the rumour in a strange place. There is interest, but not a clean path to a move.

Zubimendi as the movable name

The swap talk has grown because Zubimendi has not been central at Arsenal in the way his signing might have suggested. He has managed 109 Premier League minutes in 7 appearances this season, and his most recent league involvement was just 1 minute. He did complete 90 minutes in the Champions League win at Slavia Praha, so this is not a case of a player being left out across the board.

Even so, the Premier League minutes are thin enough to make him the easiest name to dangle in a speculative deal. That does not make the move likely, only convenient for anyone trying to sketch a trade around two high-profile players.

Cortegana also said Real Madrid’s hierarchy and their manager want Endrick to stay, while club and coach believe he will have playing time. The reporting is messy, but the firmest line is still the same one: Arsenal are linked, yet they are not being presented as genuine contenders for Endrick right now.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →