Gerry Cardinale personally made contact with the entourage of Real Madrid striker Endrick to test the ground on a possible move, according to Fabrizio Romano, though the response from Madrid was that the player is not leaving.
The approach comes with Milan's mercato picking up pace. Only yesterday, multiple sources reported that the Rossoneri and Strasbourg had agreed a deal worth €50m plus add-ons for wing-back Diego Moreira, with a medical booked for the 22-year-old and Ruben Amorim said to be pleased with the arrival. Against that backdrop, Cardinale went straight to the top for a striker.
Romano framed the Endrick contact as a behind-the-scenes detail rather than a live negotiation. His words, as reported by Romano on his YouTube channel:
"I'll tell you a behind-the-scenes story from a few hours ago. Yes, because Gerry Cardinale personally had contact with the entourage of Real Madrid striker Endrick."
The obstacle is Madrid's own position. Romano explained that Florentino Perez has held the same line for around 10 days, and that the player is not pushing to go either.
"We're telling you this more as a behind-the-scenes story than as news, because the message from Real Madrid, from president Florentino Perez, for about ten days now, has been that Endrick isn't leaving, at least for now, and the player himself would like to stay in Madrid," Romano said.
"Breaking down Real Madrid's wall is difficult for anyone, but in the meantime, Milan has made inquiries and called. We'll sign and countersign it 100% to understand Endrick's situation. We could wait until the final days of the transfer window, perhaps for a loan."
Romano also left the door ajar on how the situation might develop. "Today, Real Madrid are saying no, but I think it's also a preliminary call to see if anything can really change in the future."
No fee or loan terms were mentioned, and the whole approach reads as an early enquiry rather than a formal bid. A late-window loan is the only route Romano floats, and it depends entirely on Madrid softening a stance they have held firm for over a week.
For now, the ball sits with Florentino Perez, and until Madrid change their answer, this stays an exploratory call rather than a deal.