Real Madrid misses out on a 20M€ signing

Real Madrid decides not to activate a buy-back option and misses out on a market opportunity to strengthen the midfield.

Raúl Cabrera Jiménez | 28 Jun 2026 | 08.30
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Real Madrid lets a €20M-rated transfer opportunity slip by.
Real Madrid lets a €20M-rated transfer opportunity slip by.

Real Madrid has missed the opportunity to bring back Chema Andrés this summer. The buy-back clause that allowed for the return of the midfielder from Stuttgart for €13.5 million has already expired, and there was no real movement at Valdebebas to activate it. The decision marks the latest news about Real Madrid and confirms a shift in Real Madrid's transfer market.

Real Madrid rules out paying €13.5 million

The situation was clear. Real Madrid had the chance to bring back Chema Andrés after just one season at Stuttgart, but the club understood that it was not the right time. The Spanish midfielder has made a notable impact in the Bundesliga, gained playing time, and enhanced his reputation, but that was not enough to convince the sports management. The deal for €13.5 million was affordable but not a priority in the new white planning.

José Mourinho's arrival at the helm has also changed the context. The Portuguese coach wants players with immediate impact, established profiles, and a higher competitive influence. In that scenario, Chema Andrés fell into an intermediate zone: promising for the future but without a clear place in a squad that aims for top-tier reinforcements. Real Madrid's transfer market now looks towards players like Bernardo Silva or Enzo Fernández, much more ambitious operations in line with the new project.

Chema Andrés and his successful adventure at Stuttgart: "Everyone asks me about Real Madrid"

Chema Andrés will continue to grow at Stuttgart

Stuttgart can breathe easy, at least for now. The lower clause is no longer available, and Chema Andrés will continue his development in Germany unless an unexpected turn occurs. The Bundesliga club bet on him when they signed him from the white team's academy, and his performance has justified that decision. His physicality, game reading, and ability to support the team from midfield have made him a closely watched player, even though Real Madrid has decided not to make a move.

The next transfer window will be different. The new buy-back option will increase to €20 million next summer, a figure that will force Real Madrid to think differently if they want to bring back Chema Andrés. For the player, staying at Stuttgart can also be positive. He will have continuity, responsibility, and a competitive environment to keep growing without the immediate pressure of the Bernabéu. In the latest news about Real Madrid, his case reflects a clear idea: not all promising academy players will automatically return.

Real Madrid's transfer market shifts priorities

The decision doesn't mean the club has lost sight of Chema Andrés. Real Madrid maintains control and knowledge of his progress but has chosen to prioritize other needs. The white midfield is undergoing a transformation, and Mourinho prefers experienced pieces to compete from day one. Therefore, paying €13.5 million for a player with potential but without a guaranteed role was not in the immediate plans.

Real Madrid faces a summer of tough decisions. The non-repurchase of Chema Andrés shows that the entity is willing to let opportunities pass if they don't fit into its transfer policy. Stuttgart gains time with a valuable player, while the white club looks towards bigger operations. In the latest news about Real Madrid, Real Madrid will focus on names prepared to make an immediate impact.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El Real Madrid deja pasar un fichaje valorado en 20M€