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.

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.

Liverpool’s search for wide attacking reinforcements has led them to Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye, with any move for the teenager separate from their ongoing interest in Bradley Barcola.

The Times report that Liverpool have entered the chase for the Senegal international, who is also being linked with Bayer Leverkusen in a deal said to be worth between $46.2 million (€40 million) and $57.7 million (€50 million). The club have already made direct contact with Mbaye’s agent, Jorge Mendes, and the relationship between the two parties is understood to be strong. Mbaye is “attracted to moving to Anfield” and is viewed as a possible replacement for Mohamed Salah, particularly because he can operate on the right wing.

That pursuit is not expected to alter Liverpool’s position on Barcola. The Frenchman remains a target, and he is keen on a move to Merseyside, but PSG’s valuation of nearly $195 million has so far stood in the way of progress.

Mbaye’s rise has been quick. He became the youngest appearance-maker in PSG history when he debuted at 16, and has remained involved regularly since then. Over the last two seasons he has made 42 appearances, often used by Luis Enrique in Ligue 1 so senior attackers can be preserved for the closing stages of the Champions League.

Last season, 75% of those outings came in France’s top division. He scored three goals and added two assists, although only 10 of his 24 appearances were starts. His numbers for Senegal have also moved fast, with 15 senior caps, four goals and three assists. A solo goal against France at the 2026 World Cup drew attention.

Liverpool’s interest is shaped by a clear emphasis on pace in wide areas. Mbaye fits that profile, having reached 20.87 miles per hour in the Champions League last season, with only 13 wingers bettering that figure, including Barcola at 21.37 mph. He also averaged 1.9 dribbles per 90 in Ligue 1 last term, while Rio Ngumoha was the only Liverpool player to exceed that total in the Premier League last season.

Liverpool spent about $600 million last summer but recovered around $250 million in sales. Having already spent $81 million on Jérémy Jacquet and $46 million on Muñoz, further big moves may still depend on exits. Curtis Jones could go to Inter, while Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa are also options to leave. Salah’s wages, now off the books, add further room.