‘It’s the type of player we need’ – Barcelona boss Xavi confirms club are desperate to sign Palmeiras’ 16-year-old wonderkid Endrick ahead of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain
Xavi has signalled Barcelona's intentions to snap up Palmeiras starlet Endrick after holding talks with the 16-year-old striker.
The teenager is one of South America's hottest prospects having burst on the scene to help his side win the Brazilian top-flight title.
The Brazil Under-16 youth international chipped in with three goals in seven first-team appearances.
He currently holds the record for being Palmeiras' youngest ever player and goalscorer, while he is the second youngest person to score in the Brazilian Serie A.
Premier League giants Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United are all understood to be keen on securing his services.
The Blues even invited Endrick to their Cobham training ground earlier this month in their attempt to persuade him to join.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are all eager to snap up Endrick, who is touted to become a future star.
But Barcelona are hoping to steal a march on their rivals with boss Xavi insisting negotiations have already taken place.
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He told ESPN: "He have been speaking with his father and also directly with the player.
"I explained the project we have in Barcelona. We want him and he is a talent, capable of making a difference.
"He can score, he can dribble, he has a brutal ability to make the difference.
"He is a player from the present, who is already playing in the Brazilian league, and also from the future.
“It's the type of player we need. He already knows the project we have at Barcelona and we are talking.
"We hope he becomes our player. It depends on him. It always depends on the player.
"Usually, a player will end up playing where he wants to play. So it's a very personal decision by Endrick."
It has been claimed that Endrick's contract at Palmeiras includes a release clause.
But even if he agrees a transfer in the near future, he would not be making the move to Europe until 2024 when he turns 18.
Endrick isn't the only Palmeiras star that is being linked with an exit, with Arsenal believed to be eyeing up a swoop to bring midfielder Danilo to the Emirates in January.
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