Inside Carlos Espí’s Real Madrid transfer, six days and a silent pact between clubs | OneFootball

Carlos Espí has joined Real Madrid from Levante in a €25 million deal concluded after six days of quiet negotiation, the club’s second most expensive sale after Jefferson Lerma’s €30 million move to Bournemouth.

According to Superdeporte, Madrid made first contact last Saturday after José Mourinho highlighted the 21-year-old. Levante then prioritised the Bernabéu option, withdrawing the striker from a friendly with Al Qadsiah before an agreement was reached on Tuesday.

With terms set, Madrid asked Levante to first complete the sale of Gonzalo García to Fulham. Hull City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace made late attempts to take Espí to England, but the move held firm.

Once Madrid confirmed García’s switch to Craven Cottage for €40 million for 70 percent of his rights, Espí travelled to Valdebebas for medical tests and signed in the evening. Minutes later, both clubs announced the transfer.

Espí spent four seasons in Levante’s set-up and two with the first team, and this is the club’s record fee for a homegrown player. Madrid add a penalty-box finisher, while Levante bank a significant sum and their academy graduate joins one of the world’s elite sides.

Source: Superdeporte