Real Madrid sign Levante striker Carlos Espí on five-year deal

Real Madrid's attack has long been defined by the explosive mobility of Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior. The arrival of Carlos Espí on Thursday introduces a stark physical contrast to that profile: a 1.94-metre "giant" built for the aerial battle and the physical grind of the penalty area.

The 21-year-old Spanish striker joins the club on a five-year contract running until June 30, 2031. To secure his signature, Real Madrid triggered a €25 million release clause, marking the most expensive sale in the history of Levante. The acquisition moved at breakneck speed according to AS, following months of monitoring by scouts and a previous attempt to sign the player that collapsed when Levante insisted on keeping him.

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The catalyst for the move was the departure of Gonzalo García, who is expected to join Fulham. Once Madrid informed Levante of their willingness to pay the release clause, Espí reportedly halted negotiations with several Premier League clubs to commit to the Santiago Bernabéu.

Under new head coach José Mourinho, Espí is intended to serve as a tactical alternative to the fluid movement of the current frontline. He is a traditional center forward capable of playing with his back to goal, occupying central defenders, and serving as a target for crosses. BeIN Sports notes that this profile mirrors the utility previously provided by Joselu, whose physical presence was often the key to breaking down deep defensive blocks in tight matches.

Espí's rise through the ranks has been rapid. After joining Levante's youth sector in 2022, he debuted with the reserve side, Levante B, in November 2023. He became a pillar of the 2024-2025 promotion campaign, scoring six goals to help Levante secure the Spanish second division title. His breakthrough came in the 2025-2026 La Liga season, where he scored 11 league goals and was named the league's best player under the age of 23. He also earned the La Liga Player of the Month award for March 2026.

Despite the promise, the transition to the Bernabéu carries specific developmental hurdles. According to Goal, the striker needs to improve his left foot, enhance his ability to create chances, and adapt to operating in wide spaces.

The signing has created immediate tension regarding the squad's hierarchy, specifically concerning the Brazilian star Endrick. Endrick recently returned from a productive loan at Lyon, where he recorded 16 direct goal contributions in a half-season. While BeIN Sports asserts that Espí's arrival does not alter plans for Endrick's role, Yahoo Sports reports that the Brazilian is now considered increasingly likely to move again before the summer window closes, citing insider Alberto Pereiro.

Espí becomes the fifth summer arrival at the club, joining Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Denzel Dumfries, and Ibrahima Konaté.

Tactical Profile and Experience

Attribute/Stat	Detail
Height	1.94m
Aerial Success	Wins over 56% of aerial duels
Levante Record	66 official appearances, 20 goals over three seasons
International	Two goals in two matches for Spain U19; featured for U20s
Specialties	Right-foot finishing, one-touch strikes, front-line pressing

The club's investment suggests a long-term project; Espí is not expected to compete for a starting role immediately, as Mbappé is slated to begin the season as the primary central striker. However, his ability to force mistakes from defenders and punish crosses provides Mourinho with a specific tool for matches where a direct style of play is required.

The recruitment of Espí followed a period of persistent interest from Florentino Pérez's board. According to Goal, this was the club's second attempt to acquire the forward; a previous effort collapsed when Levante refused to sell and Espí sought guarantees regarding regular playing time for his development.

The striker's path to the Bernabéu began in 2022 when he joined the Levante youth sector after starting at local club Alzira. His progression was swift, debuting for the reserve side, Levante B, in November 2023. He later transitioned to the first team, where he contributed seven goals in 38 second-division appearances, including six goals during the 2024-2025 title-winning campaign.

While the club has secured Espí, The News reports that Madrid remains active in the market and is close to signing Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig.

Internationally, Espí has provided a 1:1 goal-to-game ratio for the Spain under-19 side, scoring two goals in two matches. He has also appeared twice for the under-20s. Although he turned 21 on July 24 and remains eligible for the under-21 side, he has yet to feature for that level.

The first glimpse of this new tactical asset may arrive this Saturday, as Espí could make his debut in a friendly match against Fiorentina in Austria.