Real Madrid forward Endrick has reportedly rejected interest from Liverpool to fight for his place under Jose Mourinho. The 20-year-old Brazilian is expected to face a battle for game time after returning to Madrid following a successful loan at Lyon.
Endrick contributed eight goals and eight assists in 21 appearances in France last season. He hoped to return to Spain with new prospects to star for Los Blancos, only to see his chances dampened by the arrival of Yan Diomande.
Competition at the Bernabeu
Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe are automatic starters for Real and account for two of the three main attacking positions. That leaves the £100million signing Diomande as the most likely name to fill out the remaining slot on the right.
Real also have winger Rodrygo, who is currently recovering from injury but is reported to be in Mourinho's plans. Yet despite that gauntlet of competition at the Bernabeu, ESPN has reported Endrick fancies his chances.
The youngster could have been an ideal signing for Iraola given he could provide cover for Alexander Isak up front while also being an option on the right. Liverpool have yet to replace club legend Mohamed Salah following his expedited exit this summer.
The Reds have also had a £50m offer for Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh rejected this week, though they're expected to return with an improved offer.
Iraola promises more arrivals
Liverpool fans look set to see an uptick in transfer business over the next week after Iraola promised more signings. The Spaniard has acknowledged his squad looks "thin" at present and said on Friday there will "definitely" be more arrivals.
The club has already moved to sign Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona following Joe Gomez's injury in pre-season. However, there are still concerns over the lack of depth at right-back given Conor Bradley's fitness issues, while Curtis Jones has headed for Inter Milan.
That could mean Liverpool make a move for a new midfielder between now and the transfer deadline on September 1. Regardless of position, however, Iraola has guaranteed more activity.
"We will definitely sign some players. Some deals you have to wait until the end," he told Sky Sports. "But the end is the important picture, the one we will have on September 1, because it is true that we are still quite thin."
The main priority for many will be a successor to Salah on the right flank. Rio Ngumoha is expected to get more game time on that side of the pitch, while Victor Munoz can play on his less favoured wing, too.
