Real Madrid signs Carlos Espí from Levante for €25 million
Real Madrid has secured the services of Carlos Espí from Levante, triggering his €25 million release clause. The 21-year-old forward has signed with the Bernabéu club until June 2031. This move addresses the club’s need for a number nine, following Gonzalo García’s transfer to Fulham.
Espí, born on July 24, 2005, in Tavernes de la Valldigna, joined Levante’s academy in 2022 from UD Alzira. He made his first-team debut in February 2024 at the age of 18 in a Segunda División match against Racing de Ferrol. He played a role in Levante’s return to La Liga, scoring six goals in 36 appearances during their promotion campaign.
During the most recent top-flight season, Espí gained recognition with 11 goals in 13 starts. His performance earned him a Player of the Month award in March and the league’s Best Under-23 Player prize. He is also a Spain youth international, having been capped at both U-19 and U-20 levels.
Espí’s role and playing style
Espí is expected to provide cover and serve as part of Real Madrid’s long-term succession plan behind Kylian Mbappé, competing with Endrick for the backup striker position. While he is not anticipated to be a regular starter in his first year, his value is seen in his potential development over the next three to four seasons.
Standing at 6ft4in, Espí is described as a physical presence and a target man, fitting the archetype of a modern number nine with a strong finishing instinct. His aerial ability and long-shot threat are notable strengths, though his passing and ball retention under pressure are still developing. This is considered a normal trade-off for a young forward who played in a counter-attacking Levante side.
His playing style has been compared to a young Álvaro Morata, sharing a similar build, aerial quality, and knack for near-post finishes. There are also resemblances to Joselu, particularly in movement and finishing instinct, though Espí is noted to have more physical upside and more time for development.
Transfer context and financial details
Before joining Real Madrid, Espí had attracted interest from several Premier League clubs, including Everton, Leeds United, and Aston Villa, with reports indicating he was potentially headed to England. Real Madrid’s decisive move secured the domestic talent.
Financially, the transfer is nearly self-funding. The sale of Gonzalo García to Fulham for approximately €40 million comfortably covers Espí’s €25 million release clause, generating a surplus. This aligns with the club’s recent strategy of acquiring proven young La Liga scorers.
Levante’s coach, Luis Castro, credited Espí as central to the team’s turnaround after Castro’s arrival in December. Under Castro, Espí became the team’s top scorer with 11 league goals, despite not having started a league match before February. Castro maintained faith in Espí over more experienced options, a decision that influenced the season’s outcome.
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has outlined his summer transfer priorities, which include an extra centre-back and a midfielder. While not a top priority, adding an out-and-out striker in the ‘9’ role, similar to Joselu, remains an option for a “plan B” during tight games. Joselu scored 18 goals and provided three assists during the 2023-2024 season, with many contributions coming from the bench, including two goals in the Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich.
Source: managingmadrid.com
