Real Madrid are facing a major question ahead of next summer’s season: how to strengthen their front line despite the success they are having with the current system and player Jude Bellingham. Speculations about Kylian Mbappe continue to surround the club, but in “Santiago Bernabeu” he is already a rising star.
Young Brazilian talent Endrick Felipe is expected to join the club in July next year as soon as he turns 18, in a deal worth €40 million plus another €20 million in bonuses.
Enthusiasm for him is high, as he has been on the radars of clubs since the age of 15, with some of the giants of European football competing for his signature.
Fabrizio Romano, a well-known transfer market expert, recently revealed that Endrick chose Real Madrid over Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. According to his column in “Daily Briefing”, one of the main scouts of Real Madrid, Juni Calafat, as well as Endrick’s personal preference, have played an important role in this decision.
“The preference of the club is essential, it makes the difference. It wasn’t about Chelsea, PSG or money… he wanted to go to Real Madrid and that was his only priority. Also, Juni Calafat’s work was crucial to finalize the deal at a key moment,” Romano told Caught Offside.
Calafat, who was previously a scout, is now in charge of Real Madrid’s recruitment operations. His contribution has been crucial in signing the likes of Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Junior, and if Real Madrid have managed to dominate the recruitment of Brazilian talent for a long time, Calafat could be one of the main reasons why they have achieved success in this area.