Real Madrid sign Carlos Espi from Levante in €25 million deal
Synopsis
Real Madrid have landed one of La Liga's most coveted young strikers, signing Carlos Espi from Levante for around €25 million. The 21-year-old, who scored 13 goals in 27 games last season and was named the league's best Under-23 player, becomes Madrid's fifth summer acquisition — backed by a club that just posted record revenues of €1.221 billion.
Key Takeaways
Real Madrid have signed striker Carlos Espi from Levante for a reported €25 million .
Espi has signed a five-year deal running until 30 June 2031 .
The 21-year-old scored 13 goals in 27 appearances last season and was named the best Under-23 player in the league.
He is Madrid's fifth summer signing , following Cucurella, Silva, Konate, and Dumfries.
Madrid are reportedly nearing the sale of striker Gonzalo Garcia to Fulham for around €40 million .
Real Madrid posted record revenues of €1.221 billion and a 26th consecutive year of annual profit.
Real Madrid have completed the signing of striker Carlos Espi from Levante for a reported fee of around €25 million, the Spanish club confirmed on 31 July. The 21-year-old has signed a five-year contract tying him to the club until 30 June 2031.
Official Confirmation
'Real Madrid C.F. and Levante U.D. have reached an agreement for the transfer of the player Carlos Espi, who will be linked to our club for the next five seasons, until June 30, 2031,' the club stated on its official website. The announcement ends weeks of speculation linking Espi with Villarreal and several Premier League clubs.
Who Is Carlos Espi
Espi, who turned 21 on 24 July, spent three seasons at Levante, making 66 appearances and scoring 20 goals. Last season alone he netted 13 goals in 27 appearances, with the majority arriving in the closing weeks of the campaign as he played a decisive role in keeping Levante in the division. He was named the best Under-23 player in the league for that effort. Levante had strategically kept him out of preseason friendlies to protect him from injury ahead of the anticipated transfer.
Madrid's Transfer Window in Context
Espi is Real Madrid's fifth signing of the summer, following Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate, and Denzel Dumfries. His arrival coincides with Madrid reportedly nearing the sale of striker Gonzalo Garcia to Fulham for around €40 million, though it remains unclear whether Espi will slot into the first-team squad immediately or be sent on loan for additional top-flight experience.
Record Revenue Backs Ambitious Spending
The transfer activity is underpinned by Real Madrid's financial strength. The club reported a record €1.221 billion in revenue during the last financial year — a figure the club says no other sports organisation has surpassed. Revenue grew 3.1 percent year-on-year, driven by an 11 percent rise in income from the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and a 6 percent increase in marketing revenue from sponsorship and commercial partnerships.
The club posted a pre-tax profit of €26.3 million, extending its streak of consecutive annual profits to 26 years. Net assets stood at €624 million, with cash reserves of €83 million and net debt of just €9 million — excluding financing tied to the ongoing Santiago Bernabeu redevelopment, where total investment has reached €1.407 billion.
What Comes Next
The immediate question around Espi is one of role: a direct entry into Carlo Ancelotti's first-team plans or a loan spell to sharpen his top-division credentials. Given the concurrent Garcia exit, Madrid's striking options for the new season will be watched closely when the squad for their opening fixtures is announced.
Point of View
Proven domestic talent bought before a bidding war inflates the price. At €25 million for a player who kept Levante up almost single-handedly and won the league's best Under-23 award, the fee looks conservative against what a Premier League auction might have fetched. The unresolved question is deployment: slotting him straight into a squad that already features world-class forward options risks stunting his development, while a loan move raises the question of why the rush to sign him now. Madrid's record €1.221 billion revenue gives them the luxury to absorb that ambiguity — but the sharper the planning, the better the return on what is clearly a long-term asset.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Real Madrid pay for Carlos Espi?
Real Madrid reportedly paid around €25 million to sign Carlos Espi from Levante. The Spanish club confirmed the transfer on 31 July, though the exact fee has not been officially disclosed.
How long is Carlos Espi's contract with Real Madrid?
Espi has signed a five-year contract with Real Madrid, keeping him at the club until 30 June 2031.
What were Espi's stats before joining Real Madrid?
In three seasons at Levante, Espi made 66 appearances and scored 20 goals. Last season he netted 13 goals in 27 games and was named the best Under-23 player in La Liga.
Will Espi play for Real Madrid's first team next season?
It remains unclear whether Espi will be integrated into Madrid's first-team squad or sent on loan for further top-flight experience. A decision is expected when the club announces its squad for the new season.
What is Real Madrid's financial position after these signings?
Real Madrid reported record revenues of €1.221 billion in the last financial year, a 3.1 percent increase year-on-year, along with a pre-tax profit of €26.3 million and 26 consecutive years of annual profit. Net debt stands at just €9 million, excluding Bernabeu redevelopment financing.
