Xabi Alonso has spoken out about teenage sensation Endrick as West Ham explore a January move for the Brazilian star.
With the Hammers desperate for attacking reinforcements, Xabi Alonso’s comments shed fresh light on the youngster’s situation and chances of any potential deal.
Nuno Espirito Santo has 101 problems at West Ham but the single biggest has been obvious for far too long.
Nuno had only been at the club for one match when he is said to have flagged to the club’s board that a striker will be needed in the winter window.
Since then injury-prone striker Niclas Fullkrug – who was made the starting forward by Nuno – has been sidelined yet again and will be out for another two weeks.
West Ham make signing a striker their top priority
Nuno has already warned West Ham’s board about his expectations ahead of the January transfer window.
Chief among them is signing a new striker.
And West Ham have been linked with plenty since his arrival too.
Nuno is a client of super agent Jorge Mendes, who is also his right-hand man when it comes to making signings.
It has been revealed that Mendes will be playing a key role in West Ham’s recruitment.
Because it was one of the conditions of Nuno agreeing to become Hammers boss in the first place.
Signing a forward is vital if West Ham are to have any chance of staying in the Premier League.
The likes of Joshua Zirkzee, Ivan Toney, Franculino Dju and a number of others have been linked.
The most intriguing name of all, though, is Real Madrid’s Endrick.
There is already a big link for Endrick at West Ham.
He is very close friends with his former Palmeiras and Brazil Under 20 teammate Luis Guilherme.
Alonso makes big Endrick statement as West Ham look into move
Endrick is also teammates with Hammers star Lucas Paqueta from the senior Brazil squad.
However, as a result of struggling for game time at Real – with just one start all season under new boss Xabi Alonso – Endrick has lost his place in the senior Brazil squad.
With the World Cup looming large at the end of the season, Endrick is desperate to play regularly and find his way back into Carlo Ancelotti’s plans.
Graeme Bailey recently told Hammers News that West Ham are genuinely interested in Endrick.
Fabrizio Romano has suggested Hammers target Endrick could be available in January.
Now there’s word from the Spanish giants.
Alonso has made a big Endrick statement as West Ham look into a January move.
The ex Bayer Leverkusen boss has admitted Endrick will struggle for opportunities under him this season.
He has called on the 19-year-old to be ready to take his chance if and when it comes.
But it sounds like he hasn’t closed the door on a potential January exit after enquiries from West Ham, because he says he must decide how best to manage Endrick.
“The Brazilian who isn’t getting opportunities is Endrick,” Alonso told TNT Sports after Real Madrid’s Champions League win over Juventus.
Alonso admits he has a decision to make on Hammers target Endrick
“We still have the question of how you manage a situation where a 19-year-old in his second season still hasn’t had minutes.
“Well, of course everyone wants to play, especially a young player.
“The context now, where we want to compete, makes things difficult, it depends on the match. But well, patience, he has to be ready, knowing that he’s at Real Madrid, and his moment will come.”
Endrick scored seven goals in 37 games for Real Madrid in his debut season.
He had notched 21 in 82 for Palmeiras and has three in 14 for Brazil.
A move to West Ham would give Endrick game time as a guaranteed starter – under a lot less pressure than the glare of Real Madrid.
It has now been confirmed West Ham are already making plans to sign a striker and at least two other players in January.
