Aston Villa have now emerged as top contenders to sign a Real Madrid player this January, following a mixed start to the Premier League season.
Unai Emery will be relieved to have signed off with a victory before the international break, with his side running out 3-2 winners at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but Villa are arguably yet to truly get going, having lost three of their opening five Premier League matches.
Summer signing Nicolas Jackson got off the mark against Tottenham, with the Senegalese striker bagging Villa’s second goal, and he has since received praise from Sky Sports journalist Patrick Rowe, who suggested the Bees are starting to find their feet.
“With so many changes in the summer window, losing Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins, Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Martínez and Lucas Digne, there was always going to be an adjustment period.
“But Johan Manzambi announced himself to the fans with a goal and assist before the break, Nicolas Jackson looks like a striker ready-made for the club, and Zion Suzuki has been an instant hit.”
|
Nicolas Jackson’s goalscoring record |
League appearances |
Goals |
|
2022-23 (Villarreal) |
26 |
12 |
|
2024-24 (Chelsea) |
35 |
14 |
|
2024-25 (Chelsea) |
30 |
10 |
|
2025-26 (Bayern Munich) |
23 |
8 |
|
2026-27 (Aston Villa) |
4 |
1 |
However, despite Jackson getting on the scoresheet last time out, the Villans remain keen on adding another centre-forward to their ranks, with Tammy Abraham still yet to bag a Premier League goal this season.
Aston Villa eyeing January move for Endrick
According to a report from Spain, Aston Villa have now emerged as top contenders to sign Real Madrid star Endrick this winter, as the Brazilian hasn’t managed to convince Jose Mourinho he deserves a consistent place in the starting XI.
The striker is now exploring his options ahead of the January transfer window, with AS Roma and Lyon keen, alongside the Villans, who have now set their sights on a move, and the fact they are playing in the Champions League could give them an advantage over rival suitors.
It has been a difficult campaign for the £68,000-a-week 20-year-old thus far, featuring for just four minutes in La Liga, but he excelled on loan at Lyon during the second half of the 2025-26 season, registering five goals and seven assists in 16 Ligue 1 appearances.
Regarded as a player with “all the qualities to be the best player in the world” by former Madrid and Brazil coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has made it clear he is a big admirer of the youngster too, saying: “He has these amazing characteristics he has shown whenever he has a chance. His accuracy is off the charts, he’s quick and he still has a lot to improve with the ball.
“But, wow, his dribbling, his runs, the shot he has, he could even score a second goal easily with that great strike off the post. He is just spectacular. Very young, but a very fast learner.”
Of course, Kylian Mbappé is going to be difficult to displace in Real Madrid’s starting XI, so a loan move could be exactly what Endrick needs this winter, and he may have the quality to push for Jackson’s starting spot.
