Aston Villa are preparing a bold January transfer move that could see them hijack Manchester United's pursuit of Real Madrid striker Endrick, according to emerging reports.
Villa's remarkable resurgence
Aston Villa have dramatically turned their season around after a disappointing start and now find themselves firmly in contention for a Champions League place. The Midlands club's improving form has been built on several key factors, including the resurgence of Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa and Matty Cash, who are all returning to the levels that made them so effective last campaign.
The return to fitness of creative midfielder Youri Tielemans and the improving performances of goalkeeper Emi Martinez have further strengthened Unai Emery's squad. Perhaps most significantly, the comeback of Emi Buendia has provided additional quality in attacking areas.
This impressive turnaround becomes even more remarkable considering the club's financial constraints under Profit and Sustainability Rules, which have limited their transfer spending opportunities in a similar manner to Newcastle United in 2024.
The striking concern
Despite their improved results, one major concern persists for Villa - the form of established striker Ollie Watkins. The England international has managed just one goal in twelve matches this season, a significant drop from his usual prolific output.
While Watkins remains Villa's all-time top scorer in the Premier League era and has substantial credit in the bank from previous campaigns, the lack of competition in attack is becoming problematic. With Jhon Duran having departed, the club currently has no genuine alternative to challenge the 29-year-old for his starting position.
The situation has become sufficiently concerning that Villa are actively seeking striking reinforcements when the transfer window reopens in January to maintain their positive momentum.
The Endrick opportunity
Real Madrid's Brazilian wonderkid Endrick has emerged as a potential solution to Villa's attacking woes. The 19-year-old is reportedly pushing for a January move away from the Spanish capital to boost his chances of representing Brazil at the upcoming World Cup.
Despite showing significant promise during his debut season in Spain - including scoring on his Champions League debut against Stuttgart and netting four goals in the Copa del Rey - Endrick has found opportunities severely limited. He managed only three league starts last season and has played just eleven minutes under new manager Xabi Alonso.
The teenager, who has earned fourteen caps for Brazil and is viewed in South America as a potential successor to legends like Pele and Ronaldo Nazário, needs regular football to secure his World Cup place. Former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, now with the Brazilian national team, rates the player highly but cannot select him without consistent game time.
While Manchester United and French side Lyon have both registered interest in the talented forward, Villa believe they can hijack any potential deal with an attractive loan offer that would provide the regular football Endrick desperately needs.
How Endrick could transform Villa
The potential acquisition of Endrick could provide multiple benefits for Aston Villa. The Brazilian possesses immense technical quality and the ability to beat defenders with ease, attributes that could flourish under Unai Emery's expert coaching.
Statistics highlight Villa's need for additional firepower - the club ranks third from bottom in expected goals scored in the Premier League this season and sixteenth in expected points. These numbers suggest that despite grinding out positive results, Villa are often relying on moments of individual brilliance rather than sustained creative pressure.
Endrick's arrival would not only provide genuine competition for Watkins but could also unlock Villa's attacking potential as they compete on multiple fronts, including the Europa League and FA Cup. With Villa expected to progress deep into European competition, the Brazilian would likely receive substantial game time despite not being guaranteed to start every match.
The potential loan deal represents a smart use of the loan market that could help Villa overcome their financial constraints while significantly strengthening their squad for the remainder of the campaign.
