Liverpool "make second approach" to sign Yankuba Minteh alternative

Liverpool are running out of time to refresh their attack before the transfer window slams shut next Tuesday night. Well, it appears to have been a very busy Wednesday for the recruitment team at AXA Training Centre.

It has been widely reported that the Reds have "opened talks" with Crystal Palace as they seek to sign Ismaïla Sarr. The Senegalese international is valued at around £50 million, and is eager to join Liverpool, while the Eagles have already rejected two bids from Galatasaray for his signature already.

The 28 year old was very much the Reds' second choice. They had previously seen a £50 million bid rejected by Brighton & Hove Albion for Yankuba Minteh. The Seagulls were holding out for £80 million, which Liverpool were unwilling to pay, not least because the Gambian is currently injured for two months. Thus, Sarr seems much more likely to be heading to Anfield, but they are not done there.

As reported by journalist François Plateau, Liverpool have "made a second approach" to Real Madrid about Endrick, aiming to "sound out" his availability. He adds that the Reds have previously been told by los Blancos that the Brazilian international is "not for sale", but they remain long-standing "admirers". So, could the 20 year old end up on Merseyside?

Who is Endrick and why do Liverpool want to sign him?

After bursting onto the scene at Palmeiras, Endrick joined Real Madrid for €60 million, putting pen to paper back in December 2022, before arriving in the summer of 2024, following his 18th birthday. Well, since then, he has not lived up to the hype, rarely featuring, scoring just one La Liga goal and once in the Champions League.

The joke in Brazil is, for some unknown reason, that Carlo Ancelotti hates Endrick. The Italian was perceived to have under-utilised him in during their one season together at the Bernabéu, as well as favouring other centre-forward options since taking over as boss of the Seleção.

Still infrequently used by Xabi Alonso, Endrick spent the second half of last season on loan at Olympique Lyonnais, scoring five Ligue 1 goals for les Gones, as well as netting twice in the Coupe de France and against Celta Vigo at Balaídos in the Europa League.

Thus, still only 20 years old, he is clearly supremely talented, but just needs a platform on which to perform. Well, this does not appear likely to occur in the Spanish capital. For José Mourinho's first game back in charge, Kylian Mbappé led the line and then new signing Carlos Espí came off the bench to bag the last-gasp winner against Espanyol on Saturday night.

Endrick is currently nursing a hamstring injury, but appears surplus to requirements. Meantime, Andoni Iraola needs cover for Alexander Isak, given that Hugo Ekitiké will miss the entire season, more or less, due to an ACL rupture. Thus, a loan deal for Endrick could suit all parties, we shall see.

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