Former Barcelona striker and Brazil wonderkid Vitor Roque became the latest centre-forward to be mentioned in conjunction with West Ham United a few days ago.
Only two months into the season, and with the January transfer window still a long way off, that the Hammers are being mentioned already alongside a whole host of talented strikers speaks volumes. Both about the form of those currently at Nuno Espirito Santo’s disposal, and some rather questionable recruitment and squad planning across previous windows.
The West Ham fans didn’t hold back when Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann revealed Niclas Fullkrug’s latest injury blow, and understandably so.
That Nuno has only a 33-year-old Callum Wilson and an unproven Callum Marshall with only half an hour of top-flight football under his belt does not reflect particularly well on their squad-building.
At least, with numerous strikers linked already, West Ham United seem keen to put things right.
Hammers News can confirm that Nuno would like to reunite with Chris Wood should Nottingham Forest be open to a January approach. Joshua Zirkzee, Gabriel Jesus, Mateo Pellegrino, Kaio Jorge and Franculino Dju have also been mentioned, in addition to the aforementioned Vitor Roque.
But it is another baby-faced Brazilian struggling for opportunities at a Spanish giant – Real Madrid teenager Endrick – who could yet emerge as the big story of early-2025.
West Ham United are the only club to contact Real Madrid about Endrick
Chief football correspondent Graeme Bailey told Hammers News earlier this month that West Ham are indeed interested in Endrick.
The Londoners have expressed their admiration twice before, too. Both in the summer of 2024, when Endrick finally arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu from Palmeiras after his 18th birthday, and in January 2025.
Now, it appears that the Hammers are hoping for a case of ‘third time lucky’.
Spanish publication Sport reported on Monday that, despite links with Juventus and even Paris Saint-Germain, West Ham are currently ‘the only one to approach Real Madrid to explore a January loan’.
There is interest from a couple of other La Liga clubs – Valencia and Real Sociedad – but at the moment West Ham are reportedly alone in having made contact with the 15-time European Champions.
Of course, neither Endrick nor Real Madrid will decide on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis. With two months remaining until the winter window opens, there is plenty of time for Valencia, Real Sociedad and others to make proposals of their own.
Xabi Alonso says Endrick will get his chance in La Liga
Endrick may be open to a short-term loan move in order to boost his hopes of featuring for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup. But, as things stand right now, the £60 million teenager is fully focused on forcing his way back into the Real Madrid side.
Head coach Xabi Alonso insists that Endrick’s ‘time will come’, too, once he recovers from the injuries which have stalled his progress since the end of 2024/25.
“He has a chance to be a starter [in the near future],” Alonso said recently, having included Endrick in his squad for each of the last four La Liga matches, albeit without bringing him off the bench.
“He’s coming off a slightly longer injury, but he’s been training well for a few weeks now and it’s just a matter of finding the right context in the game for him to come on.
“He has a goal-scoring instinct. A brutal finish. There’s just a lot of competition. But his time will come.”
Scorer of eight goals in just seven starts last season and labelled a ‘spectacular’ talent by former Real Madrid and now-Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti, one trump card West Ham may have is the presence of a certain Lucas Paqueta.
Endrick and Paqueta appear to have a good relationship, having played together a few times for the Selecao.
“West Ham have tried to sign Endrick on more than one occasion,” Bailey explains. “They were at the head of the queue in January [2025] for instance, had he moved on loan. They even asked when he originally arrived in Madrid, in case he was allowed to go.
“Endrick, I am told, was open to the possibility had he left on loan, but it was always about creating his chance at Madrid.
“The fact it still hasn’t worked out, then, I am told West Ham still would like to take him. And if he is allowed out, West Ham honestly can’t be discounted.”
