Revealed: Real Madrid's Plan B if they're beaten to Endrick

FT Desk

• 13 Nov 2022 13:09 GMT
• 3 min read

Real Madrid want to sign Brazilian wonderkid Endrick in 2024, but they have a Plan B in case they are beaten to his signature by Chelsea or PSG…

Endrick first attracted the attention of European football's biggest clubs when he scored seven goals in seven games at the Copa Sao Paulo de Futebol Junior in January, and interest in him has only escalated since.

He made his full debut for Palmeiras in October, and less than three weeks later he became the second-youngest scorer in Brazilian top-flight history when he bagged a brace against Athletico Paranaense.

READ: Endrick: Chelsea’s plan to beat Real Madrid and PSG to Palmeiras striker

Real were confident of signing the player - something they can legally do when he turns 18 in the summer of 2024 - but Chelsea recently gave his family a tour of their Cobham training ground and introduced the youngster to Thiago Silva.

Paris Saint-Germain have also entered the fray, and had a €45m bid rejected recently.

And Real now have a contingency plan in case Endrick doesn't end up at the Bernabeu, in the shape of Argentine youngster Gianluca Prestianni, a another 16-year-old attacking prodigy who plays for Velez Sarsfield.

"Ronaldo Zarate, the former Real Madrid player, is the Argentine winger's agent," report Marca. "[Prestianni] showed big character in a youth competition final against Brazil last April and his representative has been to Madrid a few times in recent months and there is open dialogue."

READ: The 20 Argentina youngsters with the most potential

How good is Prestianni?

A diminutive left winger, Prestianni's low centre of gravity combined with quick technique make him a handful for opposition markers to deal with.

He made his full Velez debut in May, becoming their youngest ever debutant at 16 years, three months and 22 days of age. With Argentina, he has two goals from five international outings with their under-17s.

As with Endrick, Real won't be able to sign Prestianni until he turns 18 - something which happens in January 2024, just in time for that season's winter transfer window.