Sources: Lyon lead chase for Madrid teen Endrick

Olympique Lyonnais are leading the race to sign Real Madrid forward Endrick on loan in January, with the French club prepared to pay a loan fee and cover the player’s full salary, sources close to the negotiations told Reuters.

The 19-year-old Brazilian has yet to feature for Madrid in LaLiga this season after recovering from an injury that sidelined him since May. Real are now open to a temporary move to ensure the teenager gains regular first-team experience, with Lyon emerging as the most advanced suitor.

Sources said Lyon have offered Endrick a guaranteed starting role and view him as a key attacking addition under manager Paulo Fonseca, whose Portuguese fluency is expected to help the adaptation process. The Ligue 1 club, currently competing in the Europa League, would also take on the forward’s reported $400,000-per-month wages in full.

Interest in Endrick extends beyond France, with clubs from Spain, Germany and Italy monitoring his situation. The player is understood to prefer a move where he can feature consistently at a high European level after limited opportunities in Madrid.

Endrick’s frustration at his lack of playing time was evident during Madrid’s 1–0 win at Getafe on Oct. 19, when he was seen kicking a water bottle after being left unused. The incident reportedly reinforced his desire to seek a loan move.

Madrid signed Endrick from Palmeiras in 2022 for a fee reported to be around €35 million, completing the transfer officially in July 2024 once he turned 18. The forward agreed a six-year contract with the Spanish champions.

A short-term switch to Lyon could provide Endrick with valuable senior minutes and help Madrid manage his development outside the immediate pressure of the Bernabéu. For Lyon, the move would inject youthful firepower into their attack as they look to climb the Ligue 1 table and progress in Europe.