Carlos Espí Reveals How Real Madrid Transfer Ended Premier League Move in 48 Hours

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Real Madrid striker Carlos Espí has revealed how a potential move to the English Premier League was abandoned after the Spanish giants made a late move to sign him from Levante last summer.

Speaking on Cadena SER’s El Larguero on Wednesday, the 21-year-old striker described how quickly negotiations changed the direction of his career.

“Premier League clubs were ready to sign me… then Real Madrid appeared and I couldn’t say no,” Espí said. “You can’t reject Real Madrid. The deal was done in 48 hours.”

Espí had attracted attention after an impressive campaign with Levante, where his goals helped the club and earned him recognition among La Liga’s promising under-23 players.

Interest from English clubs was reportedly advanced before Real Madrid entered the race. The Spanish club eventually triggered his €25 million release clause and secured his services on a five-year contract running until June 2031.

The move was reportedly influenced by the departure of Gonzalo García to Fulham and manager José Mourinho’s desire to add a physically strong striker with aerial ability to his squad.

Standing at 1.94 metres, Espí has since settled into life at the Santiago Bernabéu, although regular playing opportunities have been limited. He has, however, made an impact in some appearances off the bench, scoring important late goals.

The striker said he remained determined to establish himself at the club and earn more opportunities under Mourinho.

“I will fight for Real Madrid. I will give my best, everything,” he said.

He also expressed satisfaction with his relationship with the Portuguese manager, adding: “Mourinho cares a lot about me and I’m so happy with him.”

Espí has previously described Mourinho as a manager who combines personal attention with high expectations. According to the striker, the coach offers both praise and constructive criticism while encouraging him to make the most of every opportunity.

He has also spoken about learning from teammates such as Kylian Mbappé as he continues adjusting to life among some of football’s biggest stars.

The Valencian striker said the transfer happened so quickly that even members of his family and friends were unaware of the negotiations until shortly before the move was completed.

Despite the challenges of adapting to a new team and limited playing time, Espí remains focused on making the most of his opportunities and establishing himself at Real Madrid.