The Brighton midfielder is shining in the Premier League, where the Seagulls have emerged as one of the competition’s surprise packages.
Real Madrid lost control over his future after Stuttgart sold him to the English club. Los Blancos will continue to monitor his progress ahead of the summer of 2027, when they plan to strengthen their midfield more than ever.
Chema Andrés’ name became known beyond Real Madrid after he came on for Luka Modrić in the Croatian’s final match in a white shirt. It happened toward the end of the 2024-25 season, when an era was coming to an end in every sense at the Santiago Bernabéu. Since then, the 21-year-old academy graduate has continued to develop his game and joined Brighton, where he appears to have established himself among Europe’s elite.
According to AS, Real Madrid continues to monitor his progress closely in the continent’s top domestic competition. In just five matches, Chema Andrés has become a total star in the team’s project and has even managed to score and provide an assist in the Premier League. The bad news for Los Blancos is that they chose not to buy him during the summer, despite his impressive 14-month spell at Stuttgart.
It is worth remembering that, as is the case with many players, Real Madrid had a buy-back clause in the midfielder’s contract after selling him to Stuttgart. That contractual option became irrelevant once the player was transferred to Brighton. His development at the south-coast Premier League club has been just as significant as Real Madrid’s need to bring in a midfielder capable of progressing the ball effectively. Chema Andrés spoke weeks ago about the possibility of returning in the future to the club he considers home.
“Madrid is the club that has given me everything. Of course, it would be an honour to return, but it’s not something I’m thinking about right now. I’ve only just arrived at Brighton, and this is incredible,” Chema Andrés said when asked whether he might have returned to the club this season.
Real Madrid decided not to activate the option, and the rest is history.
If Real Madrid want to bring him back to the club in the coming months, they would have to pay a higher fee than the one they would have needed to pay to re-sign him from Stuttgart just a few weeks ago. Brighton are among the Premier League clubs renowned for securing high transfer fees for their players.
Real Madrid continues to monitor Chema Andrés’ progress. During his time with Los Blancos, he made two appearances in LaLiga and one in the Copa del Rey. His future at both club and international level looks promising. Within the Spanish Football Federation, he is even viewed as a potential successor to Rodri Hernández in the years to come.
