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According to a post by Fabrizio Romano on X on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, Spanish youngster Carlos Espí has revealed that he turned down interest from several Premier League clubs after Real Madrid entered the race to sign him.
The young forward discussed his transfer decision during an interview with the Spanish radio programme El Larguero, where he explained how quickly his future was decided once Real Madrid showed interest in bringing him to the club.
According to Espí, a number of English clubs were prepared to offer him an opportunity before the Spanish giants became involved in the negotiations. However, their interest was not enough to change his mind after Real Madrid made their approach.
The youngster admitted that joining the Spanish club was an opportunity he could not turn down, despite having other options available to him in the Premier League.
“Premier League clubs were ready to sign me then Real Madrid appeared and I couldn’t say no,” Espí said.
He also explained that the negotiations were completed much faster than he expected, revealing that the entire agreement took just 48 hours.
“You can’t reject Real Madrid. The deal was done in 48h,” he added.
His comments provide an insight into how quickly his transfer situation changed after Real Madrid expressed their interest. Although the Premier League clubs had already shown a willingness to secure his services, the opportunity to join one of Europe’s most recognised football institutions ultimately influenced his decision.
Real Madrid have built a strong reputation for attracting talented players from different countries, with their history, success in European competitions and global standing making them an attractive destination for many footballers. For young players, joining the club can also represent an opportunity to develop within a highly competitive environment.
Espí’s revelation also highlights the importance of timing in football transfers. A player may already be considering offers from different clubs, but the arrival of another interested team can completely change the direction of negotiations.
In this case, the forward’s decision was made within two days of Real Madrid’s involvement, according to his account.
His explanation has drawn attention to the competition between Premier League sides and Real Madrid for promising young players, while showing the influence the Spanish club can have when pursuing a transfer target.