Real Madrid set for €11.5 million windfall as former midfielder seals Premier League move

While there may not have been much activity on the transfer deadline day at Real Madrid, the club are set to rake in some unexpected revenue from another of their former academy players.

Throughout the summer, Real Madrid have raised more than €200 million from deals involving academy talents.

This has come either through direct sales, such as that of Gonzalo Garcia or Cesar Palacios, or by the means of future sell-on clauses, as was the case with Victor Munoz and Mario Gila, among others.

Chema Andres another source of income

Now, according to journalist Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany, another former Real Madrid academy talent, Chema Andres, is on his way to the Premier League.

Indeed, the young midfielder is all set to leave VfB Stuttgart in favour of a move for Brighton & Hove Albion in a quickfire deadline-day deal.

With the agreement already in place, the 21-year-old Spaniard is already on his way to England for his medicals.

As per the report, Chema’s transfer to the Premier League side will cost a fee of €23 million in total, while the Bundesliga club will also retain a future sell-on percentage.

Considering that Real Madrid still held 50% rights of the young midfielder, they are entitled to half the transfer fee, meaning Los Blancos will welcome a €11.5 million windfall into their coffers.

Chema moves on

Chema left Real Madrid for VfB Stuttgart during the summer of 2025, after spending seven years at the club, and making three first-team appearances.

Rated highly at Valdebebas, the 21-year-old midfielder enjoyed a brilliant debut season in Germany, finishing with four goals and two assists from 39 games in all competitions.

The midfielder was then part of the Spain U-19 squad that won the UEFA European Championships earlier this summer.

Real Madrid retained 50% rights on Chema, while also having buyback clauses for their academy midfielder.

However, it was decided that they would not activate it this summer and let him continue his development in Germany before considering bringing him back next year.

But, that is no longer possible as the youngster has decided to take on a new challenge in the Premier League with Brighton.

Minutes after reports emerged claiming that Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger had decided to retire from international football, the German defender has made it official and announced that he has brought his time with the national team to an end.

The 33-year-old veteran star confirmed the same with an emotional post on his social media, in which he explained the reasoning behind his decision to move on from Die Mannschaft.

Rudiger says goodbye to German NT

Kicking things off, Rudiger mentioned that after much deliberation following the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer, he felt that it was the right time for him to hang up his national team boots to make way for the new generation.

“After giving it some thought, the time has come for me to bring my career with the national team to a close and make way for the younger generation,” he wrote.

Looking back at his journey with the national team, Rudiger elaborated: “When I first pulled on the DFB shirt in 2014, I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams that I would end up playing 86 international matches.

“Even though we didn’t win any major titles in recent tournaments and had to endure some painful defeats, this period has been an extremely special chapter for me, one that will shape me forever.”

Grateful to everyone

Rudiger then expressed his gratitude towards everyone who had been a part of his journey with the German national team, writing:

A huge thank you goes to:

“My team-mates: For every tackle we contested together and the camaraderie in the dressing room and at our accommodation – and above all for the friendships that will last far beyond football.

“The entire coaching and support staff: thank you for your trust over the years and for all your work behind the scenes.”

Contiuing, he added: “A special thank you goes to Jogi Löw, Hansi Flick and Julian Nagelsmann, who have accompanied and shaped me on my journey with the DFB. And also to my mentor in the youth national team, Horst Hrubesch.

“And, of course, to you, the fans: thank you for your support – especially for the unique atmosphere at our home European Championship in 2024.”

Concluding, Rudiger wrote: “A new chapter is now beginning for me, one in which I will focus entirely on my club. Thank you for the journey we’ve shared.”

Rudiger steps away from Germany after 12 years with the national team in which he made 86 appearances and won the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2017.

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