Arsenal’s dream of signing Endrick has been dealt a major blow by Real Madrid.
The Gunners are expected to be active again in the summer transfer window after failing to sign a single player in January.
One of the areas where Andrea Berta will look to strengthen is the attack, where Gabriel Jesus is likely to be moved on as he enters the final year of his contract.
Arsenal will need a replacement for the Brazilian, and Endrick has been viewed as a good option. However, this move will not happen.
Imagine you are Andrea Berta. Who is your top target for Arsenal in the summer transfer window?
Real Madrid tell Arsenal they will not sell Endrick
Endrick’s future has been up in the air for well over a year now.
Real Madrid paid a whopping €60 million to Palmeiras plus another €12 million in taxes [£52m +£10m] to sign the Brazilian back in 2022, when he was still 16 years of age. (Fabrizio Romano)
Endrick only officially moved to the Galacticos in 2024, and he made 37 appearances in his debut season – albeit most of them were off the bench.
In the summer of 2025, several clubs, including Arsenal, were linked with a move to sign Endrick on loan, and he ended up joining Lyon for the season.
The Brazilian’s long-term future has been in the news throughout his time in France, and TeamTalk have revealed that Arsenal are one of the clubs interested in signing him in the summer.
However, the report has claimed that the Gunners have been told in ‘no uncertain terms’ by Real Madrid that Endrick will be going nowhere.
The striker has been instructed to return to the Bernabeu in the summer and will be a part of the club’s plans for the 2026/27 season.
Mikel Arteta will now have to look elsewhere to strengthen Arsenal’s attack.
Real Madrid tell Arsenal they will not sell Endrick. Who should the Gunners sign instead?
Arsenal should sign Eli Junior Kroupi instead of Endrick
Along with Endrick, Arsenal are interested in Eli Junior Kroupi of Bournemouth.
The 19-year-old has been one of the most impressive players in the country this season, having scored eight goals in 878 Premier League minutes.
Kroupi’s finishing has been unbelievable, and we feel it’s only a matter of time before he leaves the Cherries for a bigger club.
As a backup at Arsenal, where he will be given opportunities to learn, we think Kroupi would be a fantastic signing in the summer – perhaps even better than Endrick.
However, we’re sure Bournemouth will demand a fortune to let him go.
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