Roma and Milan eye January Endrick loan as Ancelotti backs him

Roma and Milan could return for Endrick in January, with Real Madrid's 20-year-old forward again short of football. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has now spoken publicly about the problem.

Ancelotti, who coached Milan before taking the Brazil job, told a press conference that young Brazilians are stalling at big European clubs.

"The problem for Brazilian kids is they don’t improve because they don’t play regularly."

He named Endrick and Estevao as examples. Both moved to Europe at 18 or 19, he said, and neither finds space. Ancelotti described Endrick as a player who will matter for Brazil in future, provided he plays.

The minutes tell the story. Endrick has made one appearance this season, a four-minute cameo in the 3-2 win over Elche. He has stayed on the bench for three fixtures and been injured for another four.

Both clubs approached Real Madrid in the summer. They hoped for a deal modelled on Franco Mastantuono's loan to Fiorentina. Endrick had already gone out once, joining Palmeiras in January 2024, where he scored eight goals and provided eight assists in 21 competitive appearances.

Calciomercato, as relayed by Yahoo Sports, reports that Milan have him at the top of their shortlist. Paulo Fonseca and chairman Gerry Cardinale are said to be behind the interest. Milan did not sign a marquee forward to replace Rafael Leao this summer. Fonseca has used both a 3-4-2-1 and a 4-3-3, and Endrick could fit either.

At Madrid he sits behind Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior through the middle, with Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz ahead of him on the right. Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal are reported to have looked at him earlier.

If Ancelotti's comments reflect what Brazil's staff think, Endrick may find it harder to argue for staying at the Bernabeu.