Real Madrid forward Endrick rejects Liverpool interest to stay in Spain
Real Madrid forward Endrick has rejected transfer interest from Liverpool in favour of fighting for his place under head coach Jose Mourinho.
The Brazil international is reportedly ignoring advances from the Premier League side to remain in the Spanish capital.
Liverpool had inquired about the 20-year-old’s availability after missing out on Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande to the Spanish giants.
Despite increased competition in the attacking ranks, the South American has thoroughly enjoyed his summer training sessions and Mourinho views the former Lyon loanee as a highly versatile option for his forward line.
Diomande chooses Madrid over Merseyside
The Reds had previously been willing to spend nearly £100m to secure Diomande from RB Leipzig.
However, a personal intervention from Mourinho convinced the highly-rated teenager to choose the Santiago Bernabeu instead.
“Mourinho got up at five in the morning to talk to me,” Diomande told SportyTV.
“When Madrid calls you, you can’t say no. So I said: ‘If they want me, that’s where I’ll be’.”
Pre-season promise and rejected bids
The winger made his non-competitive debut recently, replacing Brahim Diaz for the final 30 minutes while his Brazilian team-mate was rested.
Both Endrick and his Portuguese manager have already dismissed recent approaches from Aston Villa and Roma.
The Brazilian attacker began his pre-season in fine form, scoring in his first summer outing against Fiorentina.
He subsequently started friendlies against Deportivo La Coruna and Ferencvaros before being left out of their latest fixture.
Mourinho impact praised by new signing
Meanwhile, Diomande remains delighted with his decision to join the Madrid ranks.
“As soon as I arrived, he told me: ‘I promised you that you were going to be part of my team, and here you are.'”
“I can learn a lot from him; he is the right coach to continue my development. I am prepared to die for him.”
Liverpool seek attacking alternatives
Following their failure to land the Madrid duo, Liverpool have swiftly turned their attention to other forward targets.
Brighton recently rejected a £50m bid from the Anfield club for winger Yankuba Minteh.
The Merseyside outfit also held exploratory talks for Ibrahim Mbaye and Magnhes Akilouche, though the latter has since moved to Paris Saint-Germain.
Liverpool are now in prolonged negotiations with the French champions regarding a potential £140m move for winger Bradley Barcola, who has privately expressed his desire to join the Reds.