FC Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has admitted that talks have taken place with Brazilian wonderkid Endrick, with Arsenal and Tottenham keen on signing the teenager.
Speaking to ESPN, the La Liga coach revealed that discussions have taken place between Barcelona and Endrick’s father, with the European giants eager to sign the 16-year-old who is quickly emerging as one of the most exciting talents in football in quite some time.
With a release clause of €70m (£61m) as reported by Mundo Deportivo, all signs are pointing to Endrick becoming one of the most expensive teenagers in the history of football, with the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid, and PSG also interested in the attacker according to the Evening Standard.
As per journalist Jorge Nicola, Arsenal and Tottenham also have some stake in the race for Endrick, with the north London duo keen to beat the likes of Barcelona to the teenager’s signing. However, this latest update from Xavi throws a major spanner in the works for the Premier League sides.
Indeed, a Spanish powerhouse like Barcelona always felt like the side that would end up signing Endrick. And now, according to Xavi, that reality could soon be on the horizon, with the Catalan manager now revealing that talks have taken place with the player.
Xavi said when asked about Barcelona’s interest in signing Endrick: “We’ve been talking with Endrick’s father and also with the player. I explained them the project. We want him, he’s a top talent. Endrick is the kind of player we need. I hope he joins Barça. It’s up to him to decide”.
Endrick can’t even move to Europe until 2024 when the attacker turns 18. Yet it already feels like this transfer saga has played out for ages. However, these latest comments from Xavi could shine a light on what’s to come in the coming years, with Barcelona winning the race for the attacker.
It would be a fitting end to the saga too, with Barcelona an ideal club for a young South American prodigy. And with Xavi already building his squad around young talents such as Pedri, Gavi and Ansu Fati, adding Endrick to the mix would be an exciting move for all of European football.
