Endrick will join Real Madrid when he turns 18. AFP
The father of Brazilian star Endrick revealed that Chelsea were close to signing his son before Real Madrid did so last campaign.
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Brazilian forward Endrick, who helped Palmeiras win their second consecutive Brazilian league title, will join Real Madrid when he turns 18. ‘Los Blancos’ paid €60 million for his services – €35 million fixed and €25 million in variables.
The 17-year-old had several suitors but not all were willing to pay that much for his transfer. Endrick gave an interview with his father to ‘The Guardian’ and revealed that Chelsea were interested in him.
“I was very close [to joining Chelsea]. My parents really liked London and everyone speaks very highly of it,” the Brazilian striker said.
His father went on to add: “We received an invitation from Chelsea, from the owner, and we went there to see the club and the country. They introduced us to the person who would help us settle in. Everything was right with us and Chelsea.
“I can’t say 100% because I hadn’t signed, but the deal was agreed. I had already got it into my head that I would live in London with all that cold weather. But then at night, my son’s manager phoned and said that the Chelsea owner had backed out of the deal because the price they would have to pay for Endrick would inflate the market,” he revealed.