Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly seen a £40m offer for Palmeiras starlet Endrick turned down by the Brazilian champions.
The 16-year-old is regarded as one of the brightest talents in world football and is believed to be the target of several top European clubs ahead of the summer transfer window.
Endrick enjoyed a plethora of goal-laden seasons at youth level for Palmeiras, including six strikes from seven games for the Under-20s in the Copinha this season.
The teenager was eventually promoted to the first team and has already scored three goals and provided one assist in six Serie A games to help Palmeiras win the 2022 title.
PSG are believed to be one of three sides at the head of the queue to sign Endrick, with Real Madrid and Chelsea also further along in the race than other clubs.
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However, the Daily Mail claims that Christophe Galtier's side have already approached Palmeiras with an offer of £40m, which the South American giants turned down.
Endrick signed his first professional deal with Palmeiras earlier this year, tying him to the club until 2025, and the contract is understood to include a £53m release clause.
PSG are reportedly willing to fork out that amount, but Chelsea have also indicated that they are prepared to match that price as they seek to win the race for the teenager's services.
Endrick and his family are understood to have been given a tour of Chelsea's training ground in recent days, during which the attacker met with Brazil captain Thiago Silva.
Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool have also been credited with an interest in Endrick, who has also scored five goals in four games for Brazil's Under-17s.
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Real supposedly believe that they are at an early advantage in negotiations, with Endrick sharing the same sporting agency as Vinicius Junior, who left Flamengo for the Bernabeu in 2018.
However, Endrick's father Douglas Sousa - who works for Palmeiras as a cleaner - has insisted that no decision has been made over his son's future just yet.
Speaking to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Sousa said: "There's nothing decided for Real Madrid or any other club. We've no preference yet.
"We'll decide in the next months, the club that will pay what Palmeiras want and show us the best technical project for Endrick, will sign the boy."
While clubs will be able to conclude a deal for Endrick next year, the teenager would wait until his 18th birthday in 2024 to make the move to the winning party.
Ben Knapton
