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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Mark Wakefield

Liverpool and Man City suffer transfer blow as Brazilian wonderkid drops future hint

Liverpool have been dealt a potential blow with a reported transfer target hinting at his preferred club to join.

The Reds are one of a host of clubs across Europe who have been linked with Palmeiras talent Endrick Filipe.

The 15-year-old has been scouted by some of the biggest clubs across Europe, with Liverpool’ s name also being suggested as having a potential interest.

As well as the Reds, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United have also been listed as clubs looking at Endrick as a potential signing for the future.

Endrick has starred in Palmeiras’ academy and is thought to have scored more than 150 goals in just five years playing for their youth teams.

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The Brazilian, who could be the subject of an intense transfer battle in the years to come, has hinted that he would prefer to join Barcelona in the future.

The teenager has used the Spanish club’s links with past Brazilian players such as Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Neymar Jr as examples of legends from his country to represent the club.

“It is a club where many players passed through who inspire us younger ones like Neymar Jr., Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Romario... and Ronaldinho,” Endrick told Sport.

“All the boys who want to play abroad think of Barça because of Neymar Jr., who is from our generation. If one day the time comes to leave, maybe Barça can be an option.

“Yes, it may be my style, but I try to fit in all: with a sharper game or tiki-taka. Barça is a very good team.

“In 2015 they won the Champions League with Xavi and Iniesta and the MSN in attack. It was a spectacular team, as rarely seen.”

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When speaking about his future, Endrick admitted that he is aware that clubs from across Europe have been scouting him while playing for Palmeiras.

He says that he will sign his first professional contract with Palmeiras when he turns 16 years old, and is not thinking about any outside noise regarding his future.

Endrick also added that he wants to become a club legend with Palmeiras, and win some of the biggest trophies available to the Brazilian club.

“Yes, but I focused on Palmeiras, forgetting all the off-field factors,” Endrick said when asked if he knew that Barcelona had watched him play.

“I played my game, we were champions and I managed to play well , I hope I impressed you.

“I am with a calm head, feet on the ground and a lot of humility. I try not to watch social media. I let God lead and thank him for everything that happens to me.”

“It (Palmeiras) is the club that opened the doors for me, the biggest champion in Brazil and the best team in the world according to the IFFHS ranking,” Endrick added.

“I want to stay here and win many titles, the Copa Libertadores and the Club World Cup... and, God willing, become an idol of the 'torcida'.

“I don't think about it now [interest from Europe]. I am going to sign my first professional contract and my head is to play for Palmeiras.

“I don't want to lose focus. My goal is always to show my performance and, of course, by playing better, I'm going to arouse the interest of teams from the big European championships.”

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