Real Madrid have changed the picture again by triggering Carlos Espí’s €25 million release clause from Levante and giving him a five-year deal that runs until 2031. He scored 13 goals in 27 appearances last season, then made his debut within 72 hours of arriving. For Endrick, that is a fresh rival for the central striker spot after a productive six-month spell at Lyon.
Espi's arrival changes the striker race
Espi’s move is the clearest reason the discussion around Endrick has sharpened. Jose Mourinho used him in a box-striker role against Fiorentina, telling him to stay in the box, bring balls down and play into space. That is the same kind of work Endrick will now be judged against if he stays in Madrid’s senior squad.
The crowding is not limited to Espi either. Denzel Dumfries said the squad have only been together for a week and need more time, while praising the quality in the group. Endrick is still on just 4 appearances and 133 minutes this season, and he has not scored. Kylian Mbappe already has 10 goals, so the route into the line is not getting easier.
The loan case still has support
The case for a loan is not hard to make. Endrick’s half-season at Lyon produced 8 goals and 8 assists in 21 appearances, a return that showed what he can do with regular minutes. Mourinho also praised the effort he showed after training for three days and playing more than 70 minutes against Fiorentina, which tells you the coach values him. It does not settle the minutes issue.
There is also loan interest already taking shape, with AS Roma, Valencia and Fiorentina all linked to moves for Franco Mastantuono in the same market picture around Madrid’s young forwards. That does not decide Endrick’s next step on its own, but it does show how active the wider conversation already is.
Madrid will not make the final call now, but Espí’s arrival has made the choice less comfortable for Endrick. If the forward line stays this crowded, a loan move looks more plausible than a clean run into the first team.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →
