After a brief spell on loan at Lyon, the 20‑year‑old Brazilian forward Endrick has expressed a strong preference for a return to the Spanish capital, but this time with a new destination on the horizon: AC Milan. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the young forward told the Italian giants that they would be his first choice if Real Madrid were to allow a loan move in January 2027. The move would mirror the structure of the Nico Paz deal, which saw the Argentine forward join Como from Madrid last summer and include a series of buy‑back clauses.
Why Endrick Is a Hot Ticket for Milan
Endrick’s time at Lyon was short but promising, with the player making four minutes of competitive action for the club before returning to Madrid in the summer of 2026. The Real Madrid star has already made a handful of appearances for the club since his return, but his playing time remains limited as the club navigates a crowded attacking roster. Milan, on the other hand, is looking to inject fresh talent into a squad that has struggled to find consistent goal‑scoring form this season. The club’s interest in Endrick is not new; they pursued the youngster in the summer transfer window but were unable to reach an agreement with Madrid. Now, with the January window opening, Milan intends to negotiate a straight loan that includes buy‑out and buy‑back clauses.
The Nico Paz Blueprint
The structure of the proposed deal draws heavily from the Nico Paz transfer. Paz joined Como for an initial €6 million in the summer of 2024, with Madrid retaining a 50 % sell‑on clause and a series of low‑cost buy‑back options beginning at €9 million. After his impressive performances in Serie A, Madrid reportedly looked to activate the buy‑back clause during the summer of 2026, potentially flipping Paz for a higher fee. The two clubs settled on a new agreement that saw Como buy back the 50 % sell‑on clause for €60 million and set a new buy‑back option at €80 million for the summer of 2027.
Implications for Both Clubs
For Real Madrid, loaning Endrick to Milan would provide the young forward with a platform to gain regular first‑team minutes while keeping a long‑term exit strategy in place. The inclusion of buy‑back clauses would allow Madrid to monitor his development and potentially reintegrate him should he flourish in Serie A. Milan, meanwhile, would acquire a high‑potential talent on a short‑term basis, with the option to secure him permanently at a predetermined price. This approach would mitigate risk for the club while offering a clear pathway to a permanent transfer if Endrick adapts quickly to the Italian game.
Potential Risks and Rewards
While the deal offers significant upside, there are inherent risks. Endrick’s adaptation to Serie A’s tactical demands and physicality remains untested, and a loan spell that fails to produce expected results could see the player return to Madrid without a clear path to the first team. For Milan, the financial outlay for the loan fee and potential buy‑back options could be substantial, and the club must balance this against the need for immediate offensive output. Nonetheless, the prospect of securing a world‑class talent on a cost‑effective basis could pay dividends in the long run.
Milan’s pursuit of Endrick demonstrates a forward‑thinking strategy that balances immediate squad needs with future investment. If the club can secure the loan and successfully integrate the young star, the move could set a new standard for how Italian clubs acquire and develop talent from top‑tier European clubs.
A successful loan would give Endrick a platform to showcase his abilities in a competitive league, potentially increasing his market value and providing Madrid with a lucrative exit strategy. For Milan, a permanent signing would strengthen their attacking options and offer a low‑risk, high‑reward acquisition that could yield significant returns on investment.
Preguntas Frecuentes
The deal would be a straight loan with buy‑out and buy‑back clauses, mirroring the Nico Paz agreement, allowing Milan to secure a permanent transfer at a predetermined price.
Milan seeks to add a high‑potential forward to improve goal‑scoring output and sees Endrick as a low‑risk, high‑reward acquisition with potential for future profit.
It will provide Endrick with more playing time, while keeping Madrid’s long‑term exit strategy in place through buy‑back clauses that allow them to reintegrate or sell the player at a future date.