Real Madrid are set to secure another financial windfall from their academy without being a direct party to the transaction, following Brighton’s deadline-day agreement to sign Stuttgart midfielder Chema Andrés.
A verbal agreement between the two clubs is complete, with the 21-year-old midfielder traveling to undergo medical examinations ahead of finalizing his move to the Premier League.
The deal could reach up to €23 million including performance-based add-ons, granting Real Madrid approximately €11.5 million if the full evaluation is realized, as the Spanish club retained a 50% sell-on right upon his initial departure to Germany.
How Real Madrid Retained Chema Andrés’ Rights
Real Madrid sold Chema to Stuttgart on July 27, 2025, for just €3 million for half of his rights, while retaining the remaining half alongside future buyback clauses. Consequently, the club’s total earnings from the player could reach €14.5 million, despite him featuring for just 37 minutes with the first team.
The defensive midfielder quickly established himself in Germany, making 23 Bundesliga appearances and scoring two goals last season, alongside 9 appearances and one goal in the UEFA Europa League, 3 DFB-Pokal outings, and earning selection for Spain’s Under-21 national team.
Real Madrid’s Academy Continues Generating Millions
The expected windfall from Chema adds to a historic summer for Real Madrid’s academy, where total revenues from sales of academy graduates and sell-on clauses have surpassed €200 million. This milestone follows transactions involving Gonzalo García, Nico Paz, Víctor Muñoz, Mario Gila, Álvaro Rodríguez, Álex Jiménez, Fran García, Mario Martín, and several other prospects.
Including Chema’s projected share, La Fábrica’s total revenue will surpass the €220 million mark based on pre-deal estimates, underscoring the academy’s crucial role as a premier sporting and financial asset for Real Madrid—even when its graduates shine away from the Santiago Bernabéu.
