Real Madrid announced on Thursday evening the completion of a surprising attacking deal, after revealing that it had reached an agreement with Levante regarding the signing of the young striker Carlos Espe, as the Royal team continues its moves to strengthen its ranks in preparation for the new season.
Real Madrid said in a statement on its official website: "Real Madrid and Levante reached an agreement regarding the transfer of player Carlos Espe, who will be linked to our club for 5 seasons, until June 30, 2031".
Espe is 21 years old and has spent 3 seasons with Levante, during which he participated in 66 matches, scoring 20 goals, and last season he received the award for best player under 23 years old in the league.
The Spanish striker has previously represented his country at the under-19 and under-20 levels.
Espe's deal comes amid Real Madrid's search for additional attacking solutions, especially with coach Jose Mourinho's desire to have an option capable of playing the role of the outright striker, serving as a "plan B" in matches where things get complicated, similar to the role played by Joselu during the 2023-2024 season.
Joselu had shone remarkably despite playing in most periods of the season as a substitute, scoring 18 goals and providing 3 assists, with his most notable appearance coming in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich, when he scored two goals in 9 minutes, leading Real Madrid to the final match, before contributing to the team's crowning with the fifteenth title in the club's history in the competition.
Signing Espe does not conflict with Mourinho's plans for the Brazilian striker Endrick, who is expected to remain in the coach's calculations for the next season, especially with his ability to play in the outright striker position or on the right wing.
Mourinho's priority in the transfer market was to strengthen the defense by signing an additional center-back, along with a midfielder who has the ability to spread and create play, before Real Madrid officially concluded the Espe deal to provide a new attacking option within the team's squad for the next season.