Premier League midfielder leaves door open to Real Madrid transfer: ‘In the future, hopefully’ | OneFootball

Speaking in an interview with COPE, Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Chema Andres has refused to rule out a future transfer to Real Madrid.

The 21-year-old starlet came through the youth ranks at Real Madrid before leaving the club in 2025.

Having joined VfB Stuttgart, the Spaniard enjoyed a brilliant debut campaign in Germany, leading to speculations of a possible return to the Santiago Bernabeu this past summer.

However, Real Madrid opted not to activate their buyback clause, with Brighton instead signing him for a fee of €23 million.

Chema open to future Real Madrid return

Chema has enjoyed a fine start to life in England, having already scored and assisted one goal apiece from three matches for Brighton.

Chema Andres has made a good start at Brighton. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

He has a long-term contract with the Premier League club until 2031. However, the 21-year-old prospect is leaving the door open to a future return to Real Madrid.

“Returning in the future, well, hopefully, but right now I’m not thinking about that,” he stated.

Chema will not come cheap

Chema left Real Madrid in 2025 having made three senior appearances. While he was rated very highly by the club, the youngster decided to explore other possibilities in search of regular first-team football.

So far, the move has worked wonderfully for the Spanish midfielder as he impressed at Stuttgart in his debut season and earned a transfer to Brighton, where he has made a positive start.

Chema Andres does not rule out a future return to Real Madrid. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

What the move to Brighton also meant was that Real Madrid lost their contractual rights for the 21-year-old.

After all, Los Blancos had held a 50% future sell-on clause and several buyback clauses for their academy graduate while he was at Stuttgart.

But the €23 million move to Brighton meant that those contractual ties were severed for good, while the club gained a sum of €11.5 million from the deal.

Given his long-term contract at Brighton and the progress he has shown so far, if Real Madrid do wish to sign the La Fabrica graduate back at some point in the future, he will not come cheaply.