Mourinho rules out Endrick exit as Real Madrid weigh two winter departures

Jose Mourinho is not planning major changes to the Real Madrid squad during the January transfer window, although Raul Asencio and Ferland Mendy could be allowed to leave after failing to feature this season.

The future of Endrick remains the main unresolved issue. The Brazilian forward has played only 141 minutes this term and could seek a move if his lack of opportunities continues.

Real Madrid return to action after the second international break against Celta Vigo on 21 November, with eight further matches scheduled before the Christmas holidays. The Spanish transfer window opens on 2 January, although the club generally prefers not to make changes during the winter market.

Ivan Martin, a journalist with Ok Diario, identified two possible exceptions to that policy. Speaking on Inaki Angulo’s YouTube channel, he said Mourinho would not consider allowing Endrick to leave, while Asencio and Mendy were the only players who could be permitted to depart.

“Mourinho will not allow Endrick to leave, he will not let him go,” Martin said. “The only two players he might allow to leave in the winter transfer window are Mendy and Raul Asencio.”

According to Defensa Central, which reported Martin’s comments, neither Asencio nor Mendy currently features in the Portuguese manager’s plans.

Mendy was left out of Real Madrid’s Champions League squad, with Sergio Martinez included in his place. Martinez joined from Racing Santander at the end of August, despite not yet making an appearance for the first team.

Asencio, meanwhile, underwent surgery at the end of September after suffering a fracture to the bone in his right leg. His initial recovery period was estimated at between two and four months, but he could return earlier than expected after making significant progress in his rehabilitation programme.

Mendy has resumed training with his team-mates after recovering from a serious injury to the tendon of the rectus femoris muscle in his right leg.

Endrick’s future remains uncertain

Although Real Madrid’s current preference is to keep the squad unchanged from 2 January, Endrick’s situation could force the club to reconsider. The striker may ask to leave because of his limited playing time, potentially seeking a permanent transfer after his loan spell with Olympique Lyon.

That could prompt Real Madrid president Florentino Perez to act, despite Mourinho’s desire to avoid altering his squad during the season.

The report adds that specific circumstances could lead the club’s management to review its position and consider signings if reinforcements become necessary. For now, however, the prevailing view at Real Madrid is to retain the existing group, based on the principle of not changing a team while it is functioning well.