Real Madrid have reportedly reached a full verbal agreement to sign Palmeiras teenager Endrick in the summer of 2024.
The 16-year-old burst onto the scene with the Brazilian champions in the 2022 season, leading to widespread interest in his services from several top European clubs.
The likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Chelsea are believed to have held an interest in signing Endrick, who cannot make any move official until he turns 18 in 2024.
However, Real Madrid have seemingly stolen a march on their fellow continental giants in the race for the Brazil Under-17 international, who signed a professional contract with Palmeiras until 2025 in the summer.
A recent report claimed that the Champions League winners were aiming to complete the formalities of the deal by the end of the year, and their pursuit of Endrick is now set to bear fruit.
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According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Endrick's switch to the Spanish capital is now "100%" agreed on the verbal side of things, but there is no pressure to complete the deal over the weekend.
Romano adds that Real Madrid may need a few more days to thrash out the details with FIFA, but Los Blancos should still get the transfer over the line later this month, and Endrick will sign a six-year deal at the Bernabeu until 2030.
Real Madrid could not sign players from non-EU nations in the summer after reaching the maximum number allowed in their squad, which scuppered a move for Gabriel Jesus before the Brazilian signed for Arsenal.
However, Carlo Ancelotti's side moved to secure dual nationality for Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Eder Militao, with the trio's Spanish citizenship freeing up space in the ranks for Endrick to join.
The 2006-born attacker is reportedly set to command as much as €72m (£62.1m) to leave Palmeiras, where he has already struck three goals and set up one more in seven senior appearances.
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Endrick's contributions helped to seal the Brasileiro title for Palmeiras, and the teenager also produced six goals from seven matches in the 2022 Copinha for the youth team.
At international level, Endrick has already scored five goals and provided one assist in four games for Brazil's Under-17s, and he visited Chelsea's training ground before Real Madrid swooped in.
Barcelona manager Xavi also confirmed that La Blaugrana were interested in a deal for the forward, but the Catalans' ongoing financial problems meant that they could not table a bid.
Meanwhile, Endrick's anticipated arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2024 is reportedly set to have implications on Real's pursuit of Erling Braut Haaland, whom they view as an ideal successor to Karim Benzema.
Haaland is understood to possess a release clause in his Manchester City contract, but Real Madrid's plans to sign him will be put on ice after Endrick's representatives demanded a clear pathway into the first team.
Ben Knapton
