James Trevena may be playing a romantic leading man for Hallmark, but his real-life love story started long before he put on Sir Griffin de Beauford's armor. His longtime partner is Ivana Baquero, the Spanish actress who played Ofelia in Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth.
The 40-year-old stars opposite Julie Gonzalo in A Knight to Remember, which premiered Oct. 3. His relationship with Baquero has lasted more than a decade, according to TV Insider's Swooon.
Trevena accompanied Baquero to the Oct. 1 Los Angeles screening marking Pan's Labyrinth's 20th anniversary, according to Just Jared.
Baquero was 11 when she played the film's young heroine. In a 2014 interview with the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, she recalled drawing on her own experiences and feelings to understand the character at an age when she had little formal technique to rely on.
A year before their relationship began, Baquero had told the university that she was hesitant about committing to television. A series would require a longer stretch of her time than a film, complicating her other projects and law studies. She had chosen distance learning because acting regularly took her away from home.

#relationship #according #griffin

Kerry Washington attended Netflix's Animals LA premiere at the Westwood Village Theatre alongside her co-star Ben Affleck.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
The actress wore a white asymmetric dress from the Carolina Herrera Resort 2027 collection, and this is one of those looks I only like from certain angles.
Front-on, I find the darting across the top and the point where it overlaps the skirt a little bothersome. There's something about those lines meeting at the waist that interrupts the simplicity I want from this dress.
Gonzalo Marroquin/Getty Images for Netflix

#dress #affleck

Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C)'s CFO Gonzalo Luchetti said the bank expects return on tangible common equity (RoTCE) to come in slightly above 11% in 2026, while also indicating that Citi will increase stock buybacks from the $13 billion repurchased in 2025. The bank plans to accelerate roughly $500 million of investment by year-end, including spending on severance and marketing intended to expand its credit-card and wealth-management businesses. Citi also expects to remove Banamex from its balance sheet in 2027, which will create an estimated $9 billion currency-translation adjustment loss.
The 11%+ target is meaningful because Citi's profitability has already improved materially. In the second quarter, Citi generated $24.8 billion of revenue, up 14% year over year, while net income rose 45% to $5.8 billion. Investment-banking revenue increased 44% to $1.55 billion, and net interest income increased 13%. Citi's SEC filing shows second-quarter RoTCE of 13.0%, versus 8.7% a year earlier, while the first half of 2026 produced a 13.1% RoTCE. The new guidance therefore suggests management believes profitability can remain above the longer-term 11%-13% RoTCE range Citi established for 2027-28, despite additional investment spending.
Kiev.Victor / Shutterstock.com
The bullish argument is that Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) appears to be converting its multiyear restructuring into higher returns while simultaneously returning more capital to shareholders. The move from 8.7% RoTCE in the second quarter of 2025 to 13.0% in the second quarter of 2026 represents a substantial improvement in capital efficiency. Citi's efficiency ratio also improved to 57.4% from 62.7%, indicating that revenue growth is increasingly translating into operating leverage rather than being absorbed by expenses. That is particularly relevant because management now intends to spend another roughly $500 million on severance, marketing, and growth initiatives; if these investments produce the intended expansion in cards and wealth management, they could support revenue growth without derailing the profitability trajectory.
Capital returns provide another positive lever. Citi repurchased $13 billion of stock in 2025 and now expects to increase that amount, while its June 2026 CET1 ratio remained 12.78%, comfortably above its 11.6% standardized regulatory requirement. Buybacks can reduce tangible common equity and shares outstanding, potentially supporting both RoTCE and per-share earnings when executed below intrinsic value. Citi's tangible book value per share had already risen 7% year over year to $100.89 by June 30, 2026. The combination of higher operating profitability, shrinking share count, and improving capital efficiency strengthens the case for a valuation re-rating if Citi can sustain returns above 11%.

#rotce #citi #management

Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C)'s CFO Gonzalo Luchetti said the bank expects return on tangible common equity (RoTCE) to come in slightly above 11% in 2026, while also indicating that Citi will increase stock buybacks from the $13 billion repurchased in 2025. The bank plans to accelerate roughly $500 million of investment by year-end, including spending on severance and marketing intended to expand its credit-card and wealth-management businesses. Citi also expects to remove Banamex from its balance sheet in 2027, which will create an estimated $9 billion currency-translation adjustment loss.
The 11%+ target is meaningful because Citi's profitability has already improved materially. In the second quarter, Citi generated $24.8 billion of revenue, up 14% year over year, while net income rose 45% to $5.8 billion. Investment-banking revenue increased 44% to $1.55 billion, and net interest income increased 13%. Citi's SEC filing shows second-quarter RoTCE of 13.0%, versus 8.7% a year earlier, while the first half of 2026 produced a 13.1% RoTCE. The new guidance therefore suggests management believes profitability can remain above the longer-term 11%-13% RoTCE range Citi established for 2027-28, despite additional investment spending.
Kiev.Victor / Shutterstock.com
The bullish argument is that Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) appears to be converting its multiyear restructuring into higher returns while simultaneously returning more capital to shareholders. The move from 8.7% RoTCE in the second quarter of 2025 to 13.0% in the second quarter of 2026 represents a substantial improvement in capital efficiency. Citi's efficiency ratio also improved to 57.4% from 62.7%, indicating that revenue growth is increasingly translating into operating leverage rather than being absorbed by expenses. That is particularly relevant because management now intends to spend another roughly $500 million on severance, marketing, and growth initiatives; if these investments produce the intended expansion in cards and wealth management, they could support revenue growth without derailing the profitability trajectory.
Capital returns provide another positive lever. Citi repurchased $13 billion of stock in 2025 and now expects to increase that amount, while its June 2026 CET1 ratio remained 12.78%, comfortably above its 11.6% standardized regulatory requirement. Buybacks can reduce tangible common equity and shares outstanding, potentially supporting both RoTCE and per-share earnings when executed below intrinsic value. Citi's tangible book value per share had already risen 7% year over year to $100.89 by June 30, 2026. The combination of higher operating profitability, shrinking share count, and improving capital efficiency strengthens the case for a valuation re-rating if Citi can sustain returns above 11%.

#year #management

After five LaLiga matches, Elche are creating more attacking threat than last season, with npxG created at 1.13 per 90 compared with 0.97 across last season's 38 games. At the other end, they are allowing 1.37 npxG per 90, up from 1.34. They are scoring 1.13 goals and conceding 2.45 per 90, compared with 1.21 and 1.41 respectively last season.
2025-26's leading chance creator was Germán Valera with 42 chances created (1.27 per 90), 11 of them big, and 4.60 xA. He leads again in 2026-27, now on 8 chances (1.68 per 90) from 429 minutes.
The 2026-27 most-used starters include five of the 11 players in the 2025-26 selection. Gonzalo Villar, Fer Niño, Buba Sangaré, Federico Redondo, Facundo Buonanotte and Tete Morente are now in that group. The centre-backs are receiving the ball deeper than last season. They are winning 5.6 second **** per game, down from 6.2.
Their main source of passing threat remains the left flank in the final third, which accounts for 33%, up from 26% last season. Passes from the right flank in the final third contribute 27%, up from 21% last season.

#flank

Lorenzo Bettoni and Wayne Girard take a closer look at Roma's impressive start to the season under Gian Piero Gasperini, examining how the new coach has quickly stamped his authority on the Giallorossi.
They discuss the growing influence and power Gasperini appears to have within the club, arguably more than any of his predecessors, including José Mourinho, and what that could mean for Roma's ambitions this season.
VERONA, ITALY – MAY 24: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, gestures to his players during the Serie A match between ***** as Verona FC and AS Roma at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on May 24, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
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The pair also turn their attention to Donyell Malen and the role Gasperini could play in unlocking the striker's full potential. Could the Roma boss help Malen mount a serious challenge for Gonzalo Higuaín's remarkable 36-goal Serie A record?

#gian #serie #malen #coach

La Fábrica product Chema Andrés is joining Brighton after the English club decided to spend €23 million on his transfer from Bayer Leverkusen. That means that Real Madrid will make €11.5 million from this deal although they will also lose the 50% of Andrés' rights they still owned, which means that Los Blancos will not have the option to bring him back in the future.
Andrés had a breakout season for Stuttgart last season and some rumors suggested that Real Madrid wanted to trigger the buyback clause. However, Los Blancos stayed put and Chema Andrés will now be playing in the Premier League after Brighton's move.
Real Madrid have been using their canteranos to fund most of their signings for the first team and Chema Andrés hasn't been the exception. Players like Nico Paz, Gonzalo García or César Palacios also left the club this summer in deals that allowed Real Madrid to earn significant fees.

#blancos #million #means #season

Fulham travel to the Stadium of Light on Sunday looking for a first win under new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, having lost the west London derby to Chelsea before beating AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup.
Arbeloa expects a stern test against "a European team" who "had a great season last year," but the Cottagers arrive with a strong recent record in this exact fixture, having lost just once in their last five visits.
Tom Cairney remains out following knee surgery, with the club not expecting him back until after the September international break. Luc De Fougerolles is a doubt after being forced off during Thursday's win over Wimbledon, with Arbeloa saying: "It's the same [as last week]. Tom, he is still injured. We will see with Luc, maybe he is not ready for Sunday." The club is hopeful the issue is "nothing serious" but is still ****** sing.
Joachim Andersen is back available having completed the three-match suspension carried over from last season, and is in line to start alongside Calvin Bassey at centre-back if De Fougerolles isn't risked. Gonzalo García, whose two goals in his first two appearances have made an immediate impression, continues to lead the line. Arbeloa said of the Real Madrid signing: "I've known him since he was 17, so I know his winning mentality, ambition and quality."
Fulham possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Bassey, Andersen, Robinson; Iwobi, Berge; Bobb, King, Palacios; García

#last #fulham #garc

Chelsea have made contact over a move for Emiliano Martinez, according to BBC Sport, and that tells you plenty about where the club are with the goalkeeper position. When a side starts exploring a deal for a 33-year-old World Cup winner, it usually means concern has moved beyond background noise and into active planning.
Martinez is considered available after Aston Villa signed Zion Suzuki from Parma for about £30m. Villa and Chelsea already know each other's numbers. These clubs have done enough business in recent windows for ****** ody to pretend this would be complicated in principle. Morgan Rogers joined Chelsea for a club-record £117m, Alejandro Garnacho went the other way on an initial loan, and Nicolas Jackson, valued at around £65m, has also been mentioned as a possible Villa target.
Then there is the wider pattern. The clubs were part of the arrangement described as a "PSR swap", with Ian Maatsen joining Villa and Omari Kellyman, now at Strasbourg, moving to Chelsea. So if Chelsea want to test Villa's appetite for another deal, they know the route.
The timing matters. Robert Sanchez remains Chelsea's current number one, but the scrutiny is obvious. He was beaten at his near post by Josh King in the 3-2 win over Fulham and later spilled another effort, allowing Gonzalo Garcia to score. Those moments are exactly why transfer stories like this gather pace. Clubs can talk about trust all they like, but mistakes shape recruitment.
Photo: IMAGO

#martinez #like #sport

This was the fourth occasion that Fulham had started a Premier League season with a London derby and they have now lost all four.
However, on the night when Alvaro Arbeloa was also in a Premier League dugout for the first time - and against the man he replaced briefly at the Bernabeu earlier this year - there were plenty of positives in defeat.
Gonzalo Garcia, a player he recruited from his former employers over the summer, made an immediate impression with some excellent movement and exhibited predatory instincts to open his account in England.
In doing so, he became the first player to score on his Premier League debut for Fulham since Chris David in May 2014 against Crystal Palace.
But the standout performer in white was Josh King, who is still only 19, already an England Under-21 international and looks to be a star in the making.

#premier #england #london #however

This summer has seen many young Real Madrid starlets leave the club in search of regular minutes, with the pathway to the first team almost non-existent.
Both Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios left Los Blancos to join former manager Alvaro Arbeloa at Fulham.
The duo have already become starters for the Cottagers and played against Chelsea last night, with Gonzalo getting one of Fulham's goals.
Now, according to The Athletic, Jorge Cestero could be one of the next young Madrid players to leave in search of regular minutes.
The 20-year-old, who is also wanted by Lille in Ligue 1, is considering a move to Italy.

#young #minutes #real #garcia

Chelsea claimed a 3-2 win over Fulham in their Premier League opener as Xabi Alonso marked his debut with three points.
The Blues went ahead after just 32 seconds as Cole Palmer, seemingly back to his best, slipped in Joao Pedro, who finished confidently.
However, Chelsea allowed their opponents back into the game as Robert Sanchez let a Joshua King shot in at the near post following a poor diving attempt.
Moments earlier, the Chelsea shot-stopper had made a basic kicking error. Luckily for him, Morgan Rogers got the second, and Palmer struck in the third.
Another subpar moment from Sanchez gifted Gonzalo Garcia a goal, but Chelsea saw out the victory, winning their opening league game for the first time since 2022/23.

#back #fulham #xabi

Fulham welcome Chelsea to Craven Cottage in the West London derby this evening, with both sides entering new beginnings on the managerial front.
In July, Fulham announced the appointment of Álvaro Arbeloa as the new head coach, taking over from Marco Silva, who spent five years at the club and is now at Benfica. Last season, Arbeloa took over Real Madrid from Xabi Alonso, whom he faces in the capital, but ultimately couldn't salvage any silverware for the Spanish giants.
The Cottagers have had a busy summer, with 22-year-old striker Gonzalo Gonzalo García joining the club from Real Madrid for £34 million, along with Cesar Palacios, Shea Charles and Jonah Kusi-Aware. Significant outgoings include Saša Lukić and Issa Diop to recently promoted Ipswich Town, while Harry Wilson left on a free transfer to Leeds United and Raúl Jiménez returned to Wolverhampton in the Championship.
Ahead of the derby under the lights, the Fulham boss spoke to the media, saying, "I know how important that game is for our supporters.
"It's also very important for everyone at the club, for us, for players, for me. It's the first game of the season, the first game at Craven Cottage, so we are ready, we are excited, and of course we can't wait for that game."

#club #cottage #arbeloa

Fulham host Chelsea at Craven Cottage on Monday night in the opening match of the 2026-27 Premier League season, with both clubs fielding a new head coach for the first time.
Fulham and Chelsea finished level on 52 points last term, Chelsea a place above Fulham only on goal difference, and both have since removed their manager: Marco Silva after five years at Craven Cottage, and Liam Rosenior, sacked by Chelsea in April after only three months in charge.
Arbeloa has brought in Real Madrid duo Gonzalo García and César Palacios to help replace the departed Harry Wilson and Raúl Jiménez, while Alonso, who succeeded Rosenior in the summer, has overseen a heavy outlay, including a club-record fee for Morgan Rogers. The two head coaches were teammates for close to a decade at Liverpool and Real Madrid, and will face each other for the first time as Premier League rivals.
Date: Monday, 24 August 2026
Kick-off: 20:00 BST

#cottage #rosenior

Although the six signings made by Real Madrid would excite the fans the most, another very prominent aspect of the club's transfer market activity has been the sales of youth academy talent which have provided them with a very significant cash injection, reaching up to €200 million.
The most notable of these academy players and graduates who have undertaken moves away from the Merengue club this summer include Gonzalo Garcia, Nico Paz, Cesar Palacios, Victor Valdepenas, and Mario Martin. Meanwhile, Los Blancos have also earned money from the sales of players like Victor Munoz and Alvaro Rodriguez, other La Fabrica graduates on whom they had sell-on clauses.
However, these departures, and the earnings they entail, have not yet come to an end. As Diario AS has reported, another youth academy player, Jacobo Ortega, has now completed his move away from Real Madrid, as he joined the Ligue 1 side RC Strasbourg Alsace in exchange for €10 million. Los Blancos will keep 30% of the player's rights and have already confirmed his departure.
This is another very good piece of business from the Merengues, as the youngster becomes the club's most expensive sale of a player who had not yet made his debut with the first team. Ortega was still registered with the Real Madrid C team, but had already shown his talent and potential by being the top-scorer in the UEFA Youth League last season.
Jacobo Ortega has now signed a five-year contract with Strasbourg, and at 20 years of age, has taken a very important step in his career. Hopefully, he will continue to develop at the French club and turn out to be an important player for them going forward. The youngster still has several years of growth and development ahead of him, but if everything turns out well, he can become a top-level forward in Europe, and maybe return to Real Madrid one day.

#madrid

The board at La Liga giants Real Madrid are ready to sanction the sales of another pair of the club's up-and-coming young talents. The duo in question? Manuel Ángel, and David Jiménez. That's according to Diario AS, who have this week provided an insight into the situation.
The efforts of the brass at the Santiago Bernabéu on the sales front have of course proven headline news across Spain over the course of the summer to date.
This comes with Florentino Pérez and co. having seen years of diligent work in securing sell-on clauses, percentages and more pay off in spectacular fashion.
To this point in the window, through a combination of new sales and previous clauses, Real have secured major fees for the likes of Nico Paz, Gonzalo García, Víctor Muñoz and Mario Gila.
And as alluded to above, the influx of funds in Spain's capital does not look set to end there, either…

#sales #course #manuel #santiago

Paris FC will have been the last club of his life.
Ciro Immobile announced that he is ending his career, as of this August 14, 2026. The 36-year-old striker has chosen to enjoy retirement.
As Paris FC writes, the Italian scored 320 goals in 650 matches played.
Golden Shoe winner in 2020 with 36 goals, Euro 2021 champion, not to mention the Italian Super Cups, the German Super Cup, the Turkish Super Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup: Ciro Immobile built up an impressive list of honors over the years.
Not to mention his records: Lazio's all-time top scorer, as well as the top scorer in Italian league history, alongside Gonzalo Higuain.

#Paris

After signing Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios for Fulham, Alvaro Arbeloa had set his sights on another young prospect from Real Madrid in the form of Thiago Pitarch.
Indeed, the former Los Blancos boss was keen on reuniting the 18-year-old midfield prospect who was one of the few highlights of his short-lived tenure as the first-team manager at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Considering that Real Madrid are well-stocked in midfield, the possibility of Thiago Pitarch, currently sidelined with an injury, seemed genuine as well.
However, according to Fabrizio Romano, Pitarch is no longer expected to join Fulham in the current summer transfer window.
Not going to Fulham. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

#madrid

After bringing Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios to Fulham, Alvaro Arbeloa has now identified a third Real Madrid youngster, Thiago Pitarch, as another priority.
The midfielder enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season and, now, according to Cadena SER, Fulham are showing concrete interest in the 18-year-old midfield prodigy.
As such, Real Madrid now face a decision: cash in on one of La Fabrica's brightest prospects or continue backing his development at the club.
Pitarch was one of the positives for Real Madrid last season. The academy graduate made his senior bow against Benfica in the UEFA Champions League under Arbeloa.
Interestingly, Benfica were managed that night by Jose Mourinho, who is now Pitarch's head coach at Real Madrid.

#real #gonzalo

Over the course of the summer transfer window, Real Madrid have managed to raise almost €200m through player sales. Despite this, more stars are on the verge of being sold, with the vast majority being La Fabrica talents.
Earlier this week, Real Madrid sold Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios to Fulham for a combined €50m. Thiago Pitarch could be about to join them, while Jorge Cestero has been linked with a move to Ligue 1 side Lille. And now, the latest player added to the list of possible departees is Jacobo Ortega, who has been a revelation with Castilla over the last 12 months.
Ortega, who scored six times for Castilla during the 2025-26 season, is considered to be another top talent in La Fabrica. However, his pathway to the first team was blocked after Real Madrid moved to sign Carlos Espi, and now, it is taken for granted that he will depart on a permanent basis before the transfer window closes.
Right now, a move to France appears to be most likely. As per ESPN's Rodra, Real Madrid are in talks with Strasbourg over a deal for Ortega that could end up netting the club another €8m.
Any deal would include a 50% sell-on clause, which Real Madrid always insist on when selling La Fabrica players. However, this conditions means that Strasbourg are not prepared to pay €8m, and thus, they will attempt to reduce the cost during upcoming club-to-club negotiations.

#madrid #window

Earlier this week, Real Madrid finalise the double sale of Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios to Premier League side Fulham. Both players have reunited with ex-Los Blancos head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, and they may not be only players to swap the Bernabeu for Craven Cottage this summer.
It's no surprise that Arbeloa has expressed strong interest in several Real Madrid players. He's already landed Gonzalo and Palacios, but he has already eyed up further stars that he could be reunited with at Fulham, with one of them being midfielder Thiago Pitarch.
Fulham have been linked with Pitarch in recent weeks, but that was before the teenager suffered an injury that will sideline him until September. However, this has not deterred Arbeloa, with El Larguero reporting that a move will soon be made by the London club.
If Real Madrid manage to get a deal done for Rodri, it would be extremely difficult for Pitarch to get any minutes during the 2026-27 season. Thus, it makes sense for an exit to be sought now, although it has been complicated by his injury.
Nevertheless, if it is indeed true that Fulham are prepared to go for Pitarch now, it would make sense for Real Madrid to let him go – as long as a deal is agreed that sees them retain a significant sell-on clause and/or a buy-back option, given that he could very well go to another level in the Premier League. He will be playing under a manager that knows him well, so there is every chance that he does get better and better.

#palacios #league

The sports press this August 5 is reaching fever pitch, with the transfer market at the center of attention. From the Blaugrana board's lightning-fast negotiations in the capital to transfer records in Chamartín and the urgency on the benches in Valencia and Seville, the front pages of the country's leading newspapers review a decisive day for shaping the season.
FC Barcelona dominates the Catalan front pages. Both Sport ("Summit for Julián Álvarez") and Mundo Deportivo ("Barça stand firm") report on Deco's whirlwind trip to Madrid to meet with the Argentine forward's agent and speed up his signing.
Likewise, Mundo Deportivo reveals a full agreement between Real Madrid and Rodri for 75 million euros, while also detailing the Blaugrana club's stance on Ferran Torres, whom they will try to renew on reduced terms.
In Madrid, the white club's academy takes center stage. Diario AS leads with "The academy is a goldmine", celebrating the 189 million euros brought in by Real Madrid thanks to the departures of young talents such as Palacios and Gonzalo, making it the most profitable summer in the club's history.
Meanwhile, Marca focuses on Franco Mastantuono leaving for Fiorentina, Aston Villa's interest in Ruggeri, and the forceful remarks by Rayo Vallecano president Raúl Martín Presa about the future of Vallecas.

#mundo

Barcelona were dealt a cruel blow at the start of pre-season when it emerged that captain Frenkie de Jong had suffered a medial collateral ligament tear.
The Dutchman, who played through the injury at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, possibly aggravating it, is expected to be out for four to five months.
De Jong opted against surgery and chose to go with conservative treatment to give him the best chance of returning to the pitch as early as possible.
Regardless, for Barcelona and Hansi Flick, he is set to be a huge miss, as the club not only lose one of the best midfielders but also a leader on the pitch.
Now, according to Gonzalo Tortosa on El Chiringuito TV, the Catalan club are exploring midfield options to replace the injured Dutchman.

#club #regardless

Lazio's hopes of signing Spanish striker Carlos Espi from Levante have faded, with Real Madrid pulling off the coup.
In recent weeks, the Biancocelesti were said to be tracking the 21-year-old centre-forward who played an instrumental role in Levante's survival last season. The young bomber netted 11 goals in 26 appearances, including decisive strikes towards the end of the campaign.
In addition to Lazio, the Spaniard had also attracted interest from the Premier League, with Hull City also on this trail. But on Thursday evening, Espi completed an out-of-the-blue transfer to Real Madrid, who identified him as the right replacement for Fulham-bound Gonzalo Garcia. The 15-time European champions confirmed the move with the following statement (via ESPN).
Real Madrid C.F. and Levante U.D. have agreed to the transfer of Carlos Espí, who will be tied to our club for the next five seasons, until June 30, 2031
Unfortunately for Lazio fans, missing out on transfer targets has become the norm rather than the exception. This summer, the management failed to finalize a deal with Bayern Munich for Jonathan Asp Jensen, who was keen to join the Italian capital side, but eventually had to accept a move to Deportivo La Coruña.

#madrid #espi #levante #spanish

Real Madrid's academy continues to prove one of the club's greatest financial ****** ets.
With Gonzalo García's move to Fulham now agreed and Cesar Palacios expected to follow soon, Los Blancos are closing in on €200 million generated from academy player sales this summer alone, smashing every previous club record, reports AS.
The figure had already surpassed the previous benchmark of €102 million, set in the summer of 2017. Now, with more departures still expected before the transfer window closes, the total could rise even further.
Gonzalo has become one of the biggest academy sales in Real Madrid history.
The striker is set to join Fulham in a deal worth €40 million plus a further €2 million in bonuses, with the club selling 70% of his sporting rights while retaining a 30% stake.

#real #gonzalo #fulham #club

Real Madrid are weighing up a move for Levante striker Carlos Espi in a shock swoop, as per transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano.
Espi was one of the breakout stars in La Liga last season, scoring 11 goals in 25 appearances.
The towering striker demonstrated significant aerial dominance, physical capacity and predatory instincts in the 18-yard box.
Madrid are prepared to let Gonzalo Garcia leave the club and move to the Premier League.
They have been watching Espi closely for a few years. They previously sought to bring him into their academy in 2023.

#move #romano

Real Madrid were quick to make new additions to their defense and midfield after the end of the last season, as they signed, Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, and Bernardo Silva.
For the attack, the only major addition in the early phase of the window was the return of the Brazilian forward Endrick from his loan with Lyon. However, the Merengues have now made another addition to their forward line.
As MARCA has reported, Los Blancos have already completed and announced their fifth signing of the summer, i.e., the striker Carlos Espi, whom they have landed after paying his €25 million release clause to Levante. The player has signed a contract till 2031 with Real Madrid.
This new signing will fill the void that will be left with the departure of Gonzalo Garcia, who is very close to completing a move to the Premier League side Fulham, where he will be playing under the former Merengue coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
Los Blancos moved very fast for this latest signing, and only a few hours after reports emerged of their interest in the Spaniard, they had already officially announced his signing. This transfer also disturbs the plans of some Premier League sides, like Hull City and Brighton and Hove Albion, who were also willing to pay his release clause, and the latter already had a deal in place with Levante.

#signed

View Link
On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani discusses:
The incredible business model of the Real Madrid academy
How the Gonzalo Garcia deal works: the rights, future scenarios, etc
Cesar Palacios

#podcast

Real Madrid's newest signing, Carlos Espi, is set to start training at his new club from Friday, according to Arancha Rodriguez of COPE.
Jose Mourinho — who, according to Rodriguez, was influential in Real Madrid signing Espi — will start working with the Spaniard a day after the signing was announced.
Mourinho reportedly brought the club's attention to needing a striker who can be a huge presence inside the box, and recommended Espi — who he wanted specifically — to the higher-ups. The club then made the signing happen in just a few hours, showing their faith in Mourinho and putting in the effort and investment into making the project work.
Real Madrid signed Espi after selling Gonzalo Garcia to Fulham for 40 million euros on Friday, and now have the tall, physical striker that has been lacking from the squad since the departure of Joselu in 2024.
Real Madrid's squad will be full once Yan Diomande is officially announced, meaning the club would need to sell a player before they are able to sign anyone else.

#signing #Friday #rodriguez #madrid

Real Madrid have moved fast to solve their number nine problem. With Gonzalo García on his way to Fulham, the club triggered Carlos Espí's €25 million release clause at Levante within hours, tying the 21-year-old to the Bernabéu until June 2031.
Here's what Real Madrid fans need to know about their new forward.
Carlos Espí Escrihuela was born on July 24, 2005, in Tavernes de la Valldigna, a small town on the Valencian coast. He joined Levante's academy in 2022 from local side UD Alzira and made his first-team debut in February 2024, aged 18, in a Segunda División fixture against Racing de Ferrol.
He was part of the group that helped drag Levante back into La Liga, contributing six goals in 36 appearances during the promotion campaign, but it was this past season, in the top flight, that he made his name with 11 goals in 13 starts, a Player of the Month award in March, and the league's Best Under-23 Player prize. He is also a Spain youth international, capped at both U-19 and U-20 level.
At 6ft4in tall, he is a physical presence up top, a target man profile who fits the archetype of a modern number nine as much as a poacher.

#goals