Brazilian wonderkid Endrick has reportedly informed West Ham of the date he’ll make his big decision on a possible January transfer.
The Hammers are one of several clubs chasing the teenage sensation after he was frozen out at Real Madrid by new boss Xabi Alonso.
Now an approach from Lyon has added further intrigue to the battle for Endrick as well as giving a date when West Ham can expect their answer.
Irons boss Nuno Espirito Santo is desperate to sign a striker in the January transfer window and Endrick is one of several forwards, including the likes of Joshua Zirkzee, being linked.
Niclas Fullkrug is injured yet again, due back for Burnley at the earliest. But even the big German has looked well short of the physicality, mobility and pace required to be a Premier League striker even when fit.
Endrick a legitimate target for West Ham
A shocking revelation was made recently about the situation between Nuno and Callum Wilson at West Ham.
It took for West Ham to be 2-0 down after just 13 minutes away at Leeds last time out for Nuno to finally turn to the former England striker.
But he did little to change the manager’s mind during his time on the pitch in the 2-1 defeat at Elland Road.
West Ham’s desperate situation is best summed up by the fact young Callum Marshall is Nuno’s only other senior striker option.
With just four points on the board a quarter of the way through the campaign, the Hammers are facing the very real prospect of relegation.
West Ham have one win in nine games so far and must somehow win one in every three for the rest of the season if they are to have a realistic chance of survival.
While sorting their shoddy defence is arguably a top priority, goals win games.
So signing a striker is an absolute necessity in the January transfer window.
Graeme Bailey told Hammers News earlier this month that West Ham have concrete interest in Endrick.
Xabi Alonso made a big admission about the future of Hammers target Endrick, conceding he does not figure in his plans for the immediate future.
Real Madrid held a meeting with Endrick and his agents after West Ham’s enquiry.
Endrick gives West Ham date for big decision on January move
In that meeting it was decided he will go out on loan in January.
West Ham have told Nuno he will be backed in the winter window.
Leading Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol, who gets his information from Hammers chief David Sullivan, revealed West Ham plan to sign at least three players for Nuno.
The reported plan is to sign a striker, a midfielder and a defender.
Initially the West Ham links to Endrick seemed far-fetched.
It should be remembered, though, that the Hammers now have super-agent Jorge Mendes in their corner when it comes to recruitment.
It comes after a seismic shift in the corridors of power at West Ham was confirmed.
After making regular goal-scoring cameos during his debut season, Endrick has barely featured at all under Alonso, costing him his place in the senior Brazil squad.
With the World Cup looming at the end of the season, playing week in, week out is Endrick’s top priority for the second half of the season.
He would be assured of that in East London, but plenty of other teams are forming a queue for his signature too.
Given their dire situation the Hammers simply must have signings lined up ready to come in and hit the ground running as early as possible in January.
Lyon approach reveals Endrick plans for West Ham
Every game and point counts, so Nuno needs to know where he stands with his targets.
Now Endrick has given West Ham a date for his big decision on a January move after an approach from Lyon.
Fabrizio Romano claims Endrick has opened doors to Lyon after they made an enquiry.
But Endrick will assess all options – which includes West Ham as Hammers News has confirmed – in the next month.
That means West Ham will know whether Endrick wants to join them by the start of December.
That then gives the Hammers and Nuno plenty of time to land an alternative if the young Brazilian chooses Lyon or another club over them.
West Ham will be hoping the fact they have one of Endrick’s best friends, Luis Guilherme, and his Brazil teammate Lucas Paqueta at the club can help lure the 19-year-old to the London Stadium.
