Moretto: Endrick open to joining Milan or Roma – the background and Cardinale’s crucial link

Matteo Moretto has revealed some of the background on AC Milan’s pursuit of Endrick, plus some encouraging news for the future.

This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport – in addition to what other sources have said in the past few days and weeks – claimed that Milan are hoping to get Endrick on loan in the winter mercato after trying hard to get him in the summer too.

After Jose Mourinho vetoed his loan move to Milan, the Rossoneri ended up going for Omari Hutchinson on loan instead, though he has seen little playing time so far. So, a new move for Endrick is being eyed in view of when the market reopens.

Endrick ‘open to Milan’

Matteo Moretto spoke in a video on Fabrizio Romano’s YouTube channel about the situation linked to the former Lyon loanee, explaining what happened last summer and what could yet materialise.

“Endrick was in Milan’s orbit this summer, as Alexandre Pato recently confirmed. I can assure you that Milan didn’t just try, they had also reached a basic agreement with the player, who had two offers from Italy on the table this summer – one from Roma and one from Milan,” he said (via MilanNews).

“Real Madrid, more specifically José Mourinho, wanted to keep the player because they believe in the boy, they instilled in him the desire to play him, to give him playing time. But then words didn’t translate into action.

“Endrick has played very little this start of the season, almost a ghost in Madrid, he hasn’t found his place. The player is looking around, and that’s why these rumours are now resurfacing about Endrick’s future and the possibility of him joining Milan on loan in January.

“I can tell you that Milan are still interested, just as Roma are still interested. Endrick’s agency, Roc Nation, has an excellent relationship with Cardinale. Roc Nation also had several discussions with Roma this summer, especially regarding Inter’s Luis Henrique.

“Cardinale, however, has a different feeling with Roc Nation: he has a special bond stemming from his American roots. These are also cultural situations. We’ll understand later what kind of path Endrick wants to choose, having expressed openness to Milan, just as he did this summer.

“He’s also expressed openness to Roma. We’ll also see with Real Madrid, and we know how good the relationship is with Milan, given the many deals closed in recent years. We’ll understand and keep you updated on Endrick’s situation.”