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AC Milan, with Brazilian prospect Endrick in their sights, are expected to make the Real Madrid forward their leading target for the January transfer window, with Gerry Cardinale convinced about the move.

Ruben Amorim is preparing for his first major match as AC Milan manager. While attention is firmly on Juventus, the Portuguese coach was also asked about transfer matters during his pre-match press conference. In his response, he underlined the sense of unity inside the club that appears to be central to the project: "I speak to Cardinale and Calvelli every day, so it is normal to have them here; maybe not for you, but it is for me. I am very satisfied with the transfer window. We have new players who are top-level and who will help us during the season, but also in the future. This is our objective. I also want to spend some time on how Milan work: everyone has to be aligned on certain players to sign."

Two strikers in time

The transfer market can both give and take away. AC Milan completed the arrival of Goncalo Ramos as much as three days before the summer transfer window officially opened. Support for that deal was immediate and unanimous across the club. But the guaranteed fee of €70 million effectively removed the possibility of bringing in a permanent back-up striker for the Portuguese forward. That situation, combined with the club's strong commitment to developing young talent, resulted in Francesco Camarda renewing his contract until 30 June 2031, with an option to extend it by another year until 2032. It also led to the decision to elevate him as the only alternative to the Portuguese striker, at least until January, when the club's strategic working group will review the situation using data collected from the first four months of the season.

No to Mou

In reality, AC Milan had spent a long period, at least two weeks, working on a marquee attacking addition. The player they wanted was Endrick, the Brazilian striker born in 2006 who is at Real Madrid. Cardinale discussed the matter directly with the Real Madrid hierarchy, but met firm opposition from Jose Mourinho. The former Special One gave a negative assessment regarding a loan departure for the former Palmeiras player, much to the frustration of both AC Milan and Roma.

Cardinale will blame us again

Endrick has not yet made an appearance in a Real Madrid shirt because he is still recovering from injury. Setting the muscle problem aside, Milan are hoping to bring the player to Milanello in January on loan with an option to buy. That ambition will also depend greatly on how, and how often, Mourinho decides to use the 2006-born forward during the opening part of the season.

Cardinale, Amorim and the working group are certain to try again regardless. The Brazilian is seen as capable of playing both as a centre-forward and as an attacking midfielder behind Goncalo Ramos. Endrick is only the most prominent example of a broader strategy: players who were missed in previous windows could return to the club's radar, because Milan believe they are only at the beginning of building a squad strong enough to compete for trophies.