Real Madrid News
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.
Real Madrid News
Inter Milan boss Chivu praises Mourinho ahead of Real Madrid showdown: ‘A special person’
Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu has described Jose Mourinho as “a special person” ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Romanian spent two seasons playing under Mourinho at Inter between 2008 and 2010, a period that culminated in the club winning the Champions League at the very same stadium in 2010.
A serial winner
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Chivu reflected warmly on his former manager.
“He’s a special person who I was lucky enough to meet in my life. He gave me important help during a difficult period of my life, and I’ll never forget that,” Chivu said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Chivu also praised Mourinho’s ability to influence the teams he manages and instil his mentality in his players.
“He’s very good at immersing himself in the reality of the team he represents and transmitting his mentality. He’s a winner who knows how to communicate things at the right moment. Very few people know how to do that like he does,” he said.
“He has won everywhere he has been, and I’m sure Real Madrid will have a great season.”
Despite his admiration for Mourinho, Chivu insisted that the Portuguese has not served as a template for his own coaching career.
Asked whether he takes inspiration from his former manager, the Inter boss replied: “I’ve never copied anyone. I have my own idea of football, which has been built through my years as a player and as a coach.”
Chivu assesses Mourinho’s Real Madrid
Chivu believes it is still too early to draw firm conclusions about Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid.
“It’s still very early. It has been a fairly balanced start, although they lost their last match undeservedly because they played very well,” he said.
“They’re a team with a great history and a coach who knows how to do things.”
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone”
With Mourinho in the dugout and Chivu in defence, Inter defeated Bayern Munich in the 2010 Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The now-Inter manager believes returning to the stadium where they lifted the trophy 16 years ago will provide a special occasion, although he knows the challenge facing his team.
“The stadium has been renovated and it’s even more beautiful. It has a great tradition and today it’s more beautiful and more modern. We like playing a Champions League match in this stadium,” he said.
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone. Inter haven’t won here for 60 years. We’ll do everything possible and we want to show that we’re competitive and that we have the desire to dominate.
“There’s no perfect way to play against Real Madrid because they have players who can make the difference regardless of the plan you have.”
Inter arrive in Madrid after recovering from a difficult game against Napoli, while Chivu prepares to face the coach who played such an important role in his career.
