Arsenal 'pushing hard' for Endrick but shock reunion threatens Arteta plan

Arsenal have "raised the stakes" in their pursuit of Real Madrid forward Endrick, but they won't have it all their own way.

The Brazil international has been on the Gunners' radar for some time. Arsenal considered a move for Endrick in the summer, but neither they nor anyone else managed to break the resolve of Jose Mourinho, who was determined to keep the striker at Real Madrid.

The Portuguese personally intervened to halt a loan move to AS Roma, and he recently suggested that he would "fight" anyone trying to sign Endrick in 2027. That is despite the fact that the youngster hardly plays.

The 20-year-old has only been given opportunities to make an impact in the Champions League when Real Madrid have been chasing goals. In LaLiga, Endrick is mostly a substitute after the 80th minute, which severely restricts his usefulness.

The player himself is aware of this, too. This week, he openly admitted that he "wants to play" more. Despite his admiration for Mourinho and his strong relationship with the manager, Endrick has been very clear that he is ready to jump ship if he doesn't get more minutes.

For weeks, various clubs have been linked with a possible January move. AS Roma remain keen after coming close to signing Endrick, and there have been suggestions in the Italian press that Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti is in favour of a loan move to the Italian capital.

Meanwhile, there have also been links with AC Milan, although their priority increasingly seems to be Club Brugge sensation Nicolo Tresoldi, who is a die-hard Rossoneri fan. In England, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Man Utd have been associated with the 20-year-old.

In light of Endrick's comments this week, TEAMtalk claims that Arsenal are stepping up their pursuit of the striker. They are "pushing hard behind the scenes" and have "raised the stakes."

However, the same hurdle that has always made a move difficult remains. The Premier League champions would want to include a permanent element in the deal, whereas Real Madrid are determined to keep him long-term or, at the very least, retain control over his future.

It is added that Martin Zubimendi could have a role to play in Arsenal's talks. Real Madrid are known admirers of the midfielder, who has failed to win back his place in Mikel Arteta's starting lineup since losing his spot towards the end of last season.

Zubimendi has publicly rubbished suggestions that he could leave Arsenal before the end of the campaign, but reports have proliferated rapidly in recent days that he could be on the move as early as January. Ultimately, only time will tell.

However, the structure of a potential deal for Endrick isn't the only complication Arsenal have to contend with. The level of interest in the striker could be problematic, particularly as several suitors are willing to offer Real Madrid more favourable terms.

Besides Roma, Sporting CP are now emerging as a serious contenders to sign Endrick, and they have a major ace up their sleeve: Paulo Fonseca. The manager recently joined the Lisbon outfit from Lyon.

Endrick spent the second half of last season on loan at the French club, and although it was a mixed spell in terms of his attacking output, he at least played regularly and was given ample opportunity to show off his talents.

This was enough to prompt him to suggest this week that his six months at Lyon were "one of the best things that ever happened to me and one of the happiest times I've ever been."

Nicolo Schira notes that Fonseca "loves" Endrick and that the two have maintained "a very good relationship" since their time together in France. A reunion at Sporting CP could therefore be very appealing to the 20-year-old - and bad news for Arsenal.