Real Madrid sign Levante striker Carlos Espí in €25m lightning deal until 2031

The deal

Real Madrid and Levante announced on Thursday evening that Carlos Espí, a 21-year-old striker, will join the Spanish champions on a five-year contract running until 30 June 2031. The club triggered his €25 million release clause, making it the largest sale of a homegrown player in Levante's history. The move was completed in a matter of hours after Espí had been on the verge of joining a Premier League side.

“Real Madrid C.F. and Levante U.D. have agreed the transfer of player Carlos Espí, who is now tied to our club for the next five seasons, until 30 June 2031.”

Espí's rise at Levante

Espí joined Levante's youth setup in the summer of 2022 and made his first-team debut on 18 February 2024 against Racing de Ferrol. He scored six goals in the 2024-25 Segunda División campaign, helping the club win promotion back to La Liga, and was named the division's best under-23 player. In his first top-flight season, he netted 11 goals in 25 league appearances, finishing as Levante's top scorer and earning the La Liga best U-23 award. Across 66 matches for the club, he scored 20 goals. Espí has represented Spain at under-19 and under-20 levels.

A lightning operation

Until Thursday, Espí appeared destined for England. Levante had advanced negotiations with Brighton, and the player also held a pre-agreement with Hull City, while Villarreal had shown interest. Real Madrid's late intervention, however, changed everything. The club moved swiftly after finalising the sale of forward Gonzalo García to Fulham for a fee that could reach €40 million, with Madrid retaining 30 percent of the player's economic rights. César Palacios is also in talks to join Fulham for around €10 million under similar terms.

Mourinho's squad reshaping

Espí becomes the latest addition under new head coach José Mourinho, who had identified the need for a striker earlier in the window. Real Madrid have already signed Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Denzel Dumfries and Ibrahima Konaté this summer, and are reportedly working on deals for RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande and Manchester City's Rodri. The departure of Gonzalo García, a 22-year-old Spain under-21 international, to Fulham, where former Madrid defender Álvaro Arbeloa is head coach, created the space for Espí's arrival.

Levante's farewell

Levante expressed pride in the transfer, calling it a reflection of the club's youth development work. In a statement, the club thanked Espí for his commitment and wished him success.

“His transfer represents an operation of enormous relevance for Levante UD, as it becomes the largest sale of a footballer from the Granota academy in the club's history, a reflection of the player's growth and the excellent work done in talent development at the Ciudad Deportiva.”