Liverpool are set to miss out on Real Madrid’s 20-year-old Endrick after the Spanish club sold Gonzalo Garcia to Fulham for £34 million. The transfer was confirmed in early August, with Fulham agreeing the fee and the striker moving to Craven Cottage ahead of the 1 September window deadline.
Fulham Secures Gonzalo Garcia
Fulham’s acquisition of Garcia, who joined the club after Alvaro Arbeloa, was a strategic move to bolster their attack. The £34 million deal was finalized in early August, giving the club a proven forward to fill the void left by the departure of other key players. Real Madrid’s decision to let Garcia go has left the Spanish side with a thinner squad, which has implications for their depth in the forward positions.
Liverpool's Endrick Ambitions
Liverpool’s manager, Andoni Iraola, admitted that his squad is “quite thin” and that the club will “definitely sign some players” before the summer window closes. Endrick emerged as a target in the last week, amid uncertainty about his role at Real Madrid for the current season. The 20-year-old striker impressed during his loan spell at Lyon in the second half of last season, and Liverpool were keen to add his firepower.
However, Real Madrid has no intention of selling Endrick permanently. According to sources on the Transfer Insider podcast, the club is unlikely to let him go due to the shortage of depth caused by Garcia’s move to Fulham. The club may consider a loan in January if Endrick does not receive regular minutes at the Bernabéu during the first half of the season.
Liverpool may revisit their interest in Endrick in the January window if he struggles for playing time. The Reds have expressed a willingness to sign players before the deadline, but the loss of Garcia has made the squad thinner, potentially limiting their options.
Potential Future Moves
While Endrick remains the primary focus, Liverpool’s interest in other attackers has also been highlighted. Cody Gakpo, who registered nine goals and six assists in 52 appearances for Liverpool, has attracted interest from Tottenham. However, the club’s priority remains to strengthen the squad before the window closes.
In summary, Liverpool’s bid for Endrick has been thwarted by Real Madrid’s sale of Gonzalo Garcia to Fulham for £34 million. The Reds will need to act quickly to address their thin squad before the 1 September deadline, potentially looking to other targets if Endrick remains unavailable.
