It has been revealed that Chelsea had initially been on the verge of securing the signature of Brazilian prodigy Endrick, who is now bound for Real Madrid.
The disclosure comes from none other than Endrick’s father, Douglas, who sheds light on the behind-the-scenes negotiations and the reasons behind Chelsea’s decision to pull out of the deal, paving the way for Real Madrid’s successful pursuit.
Endrick, a highly touted 17-year-old forward, had been a standout performer for Palmeiras, amassing an impressive record of 17 goals and two assists in just 60 appearances.
His potential had garnered attention from top clubs worldwide, with Chelsea initially in the lead to secure his services.
Real Madrid ultimately triumphed in securing Endrick’s future in December of the previous year, finalizing a deal that could potentially reach €72 million once the young talent turns 18 in July 2024.
However, the revelation from Endrick’s father suggests that Chelsea had been the frontrunners in the race for the versatile attacker’s signature before a change of heart from Chelsea’s co-owners, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
Douglas recounted the intriguing episode, stating, “I can’t say 100% because I hadn’t signed, but the deal was agreed.
I had already got it into my head that I would live in London with all that cold weather. But then at night, my son’s manager phoned and said that the Chelsea owner had backed out of the deal because the price they would have to pay for Endrick would inflate the market.”
The reported reluctance from Chelsea to invest heavily in a 16-year-old player, who would only join the club almost two years later, led to the collapse of the deal.
The proposed fee of €60 million (£51 million/$64 million) was deemed too significant for a player yet to make the move to the Premier League.
Interestingly, despite the apparent hesitation to spend big on Endrick, Boehly and Clearlake subsequently made substantial investments in other young Brazilian talents.
The acquisition of Andrey Santos, Angelo, and Deivid Washington involved a payment in the region of £45 million.
Santos is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, Angelo is gaining regular playing time at Strasbourg, and Washington has made a brief substitute appearance for Chelsea in the Premier League.
The revelation of Chelsea’s withdrawal from the Endrick deal adds an intriguing layer to the intricate world of football transfers, highlighting the complexities and considerations that influence clubs’ decisions, especially in dealing with young and promising talents.
As Endrick’s journey takes him to Real Madrid, the football world is left to contemplate the ‘what-ifs’ and the impact of these behind-the-scenes negotiations on the landscape of top-tier football.
