Real Madrid’s summer business has placed Endrick in a more awkward position than before, with the arrival of Yan Diomande reshaping the attacking picture. The 19-year-old has come in as the headline signing of the window and is expected to go straight into José Mourinho’s first team for the 2026-27 season, most likely on the right wing.

Diomande is capable of playing on either side, but a route into the left-sided role looks blocked by Vinícius Jr, who has recently agreed a new six-year deal. The right flank had already been identified as an area for reinforcement, especially after the ACL injury Rodrygo suffered in the spring, but the new arrival now adds further pressure to the squad balance.

That has direct consequences for Endrick, who has only just returned to the club. The 20-year-old Brazil international has found first-team chances difficult to secure since arriving with significant attention in the summer of 2024, and he spent the second half of last season on loan with Lyon.

His spell there was productive. In 21 appearances across six months, he scored eight goals and provided eight assists, form that helped earn him a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad this summer. He then shortened his holiday to join preseason training early, hoping to make an impression on Mourinho. He did exactly that by scoring the opening goal in Real Madrid’s 2-2 draw with Fiorentina, standing out while several senior players remained away after the World Cup.

Even so, the latest transfer activity makes regular minutes look far from guaranteed once competitive matches begin. Diomande now occupies one wide role, Brahim Díaz and Rodrygo are also among the options when available, and Carlos Espí has been signed as a ‘plan B’ choice for Kylian Mbappé in central attack.

Reports now suggest another loan is possible. “The possibility for Endrick to consider a loan move in the final weeks of the window is something we cannot exclude,” Fabrizio Romano revealed.

AS Roma have been linked, while Ramón Álvarez de Mon says Premier League options are being explored. Mundo Deportivo add that Real Sociedad, Villarreal and Real Betis have all asked about a loan, with Endrick said to want to play in Europe.

Altay Bayındır has softened the language around his exit from Manchester United, saying it is “not a goodbye” after completing a loan move away from the club.

The goalkeeper marked the move with a message of gratitude to supporters, writing: “Thank you for every chant, every message and every moment we have shared,” he wrote on social media. “Your support means a lot to me and I’ll carry it with me throughout this next chapter of my life.

“I’ll miss Old Trafford but this is not goodbye. Wishing a successful season to everyone at the club, my heart and support will always be with you.

“See you soon Reds!”

Bayındır’s words are notable given how little of the last three seasons he spent as a regular part of the side. He arrived in the summer of 2023 as one of Türkiye’s top goalkeepers, but managed only 17 appearances for United, most of them while serving as backup to André Onana or, more recently, Senne Lammens.

A series of uncertain displays did little to strengthen his standing at Old Trafford. The arrival of veteran stopper Karl Darlow on a free transfer further pointed towards a future away from Michael Carrick’s squad.

United have also handed Celta a bargain permanent transfer option which, while not guaranteed to be used, appears likely to become a full exit next summer if he produces a strong campaign in Spain’s top flight.

The overall picture suggests United are prepared to move on, even if the feeling is not entirely shared by Bayındır. His farewell hinted at a genuine connection with the club despite a frustrating three-year spell.

That departure also fits into United’s wider plans, with the club now understood to be focusing on exits as they look to raise funds for further summer spending.

Complicating that process are salary rises on contracts agreed under the previous ownership. With United back in the Champions League, several players have already received pay increases of up to 25%.

Defensive midfielders rarely dominate the conversation, yet their influence is often decisive. The role asks for tactical awareness, physical resilience, technical security and the discipline to protect a team while helping it build from deep.

Across the Premier League era, those demands have been met by some outstanding No. 6s. From stopgaps who held teams together through difficult stretches to title-winning anchors who shaped the biggest sides, the position has produced a remarkable range of excellence.

Mark Noble spent his entire Premier League career with West Ham United, and that loyalty shaped his reputation. He was never defined by trophies or eye-catching numbers, but he provided stability, leadership and dependability through relegation battles, off-field turmoil and also during more successful periods that included multiple top-seven finishes.

Casemiro arrived with a shorter Premier League stay, but one that carried real weight. Signed from Real Madrid, he brought defensive authority, passing range and an unexpected attacking threat. Even in a difficult period at Manchester United, he produced strong individual performances and helped begin to change the mood at Old Trafford.

Moisés Caicedo is still building his legacy, but his profile already marks him out as elite. He is relentless in the tackle, covers vast amounts of ground and handles the ball with composure. Gareth Barry, meanwhile, earned his place through intelligence, positioning and consistency, becoming the Premier League’s second all-time appearance maker.

Nemanja Matić added protection and composure to Chelsea, helping them win titles in 2014–15 and 2016–17. Javier Mascherano brought aggression and control in equal measure, while Fabinho, at his best, was a high-level ball-winner and a crucial figure in Liverpool’s title-winning side in 2020.

Gilberto Silva offered calm control behind Arsenal’s unbeaten champions, and Mousa Dembélé made himself almost impossible to dispossess. Declan Rice, now a Premier League champion with Arsenal, combines ball-winning, carrying and relentless coverage, while Xabi Alonso provided one of the finest passing ranges in the game from deep.

Fernandinho anchored Manchester City for almost a decade and was central to five league titles. Michael Essien, Michael Carrick, Claude Makélélé, Yaya Touré, N’Golo Kanté and Patrick Vieira each brought their own defining qualities, but all left a lasting imprint on the competition through quality, influence and achievement.