Spanish giants Real Madrid have swooped to sign highly rated young striker Carlos Espí from Levante, having triggered a £21.4m (€25m) clause in his contract. The deal represents a club-record sale for Levante.
Official Announcement: Carlos Espí.
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) July 30, 2026
Espí impressed last season for Levante
Espí was one of Levante’s more impressive players, as they performed a great escape from relegation to the Segunda. The 21-year-old played a key role in their late-season form, scoring nine times in the last three months of the 2025/26 season.
At the end of the season, the homegrown forward had registered 13 goals in all competitions. Espí had scored six goals in the previous season as Los Granotas earned promotion to La Liga.
Espí’s goalscoring was also likely to draw attention from elsewhere, with a number of Premier League clubs linked with the forward, with his release clause a big factor in their interest.
A switch to England looked the most likely one. However, Real Madrid were quick to act to sign the youngster.
Espí move funded by Gonzalo Garcia’s exit
The move for Espí will be funded by the sale of another young forward, Gonzalo Garcia, who is set to complete a move to Premier League Fulham for an initial fee of €40m, plus €2m in add-ons and also a 30 per cent sell-on for Los Blancos when he makes his next move.
The 22-year-old came through the youth ranks at Real Madrid. However, it has only been in the last few seasons that he has made a mark in the first team.
He scored five goals in ten appearances in all competitions in the 2024/25 season, before scoring eight times last season in 39 games across all competitions. The forward also enjoyed an impressive FIFA World Club Cup, earning a place in the Team of the Tournament.
Fulham were looking to strengthen in the striking department after the departure of veteran Mexican international Raul Jimenez earlier this summer, with the 35-year-old returning to his former club Wolves.