Chema Andrés open to Real Madrid return as buyback clause looms
VfB Stuttgart midfielder Chema Andrés has publicly expressed his desire to one day return to Real Madrid, the club he left just last summer. In an interview with The Athletic, the 20-year-old Spaniard stated he "would be delighted" to rejoin the Spanish giants, though he emphasized his current focus remains on his development in Germany. His comments bring fresh attention to a reported buyback clause Real Madrid inserted in the deal that took him to Stuttgart.
According to previous reports, Real Madrid hold a buyback option for Andrés valued at approximately €13.5 million for the upcoming summer transfer window. This clause is understood to include a mechanism where the fee will increase incrementally in subsequent years if it is not activated. The existence of such a clause is a common practice for top Spanish clubs when selling promising academy products, allowing them to retain control over a player's future.
Andrés, a product of Real Madrid's famed La Fábrica academy, made the move to the Bundesliga in search of regular first-team football, which he has successfully found at Stuttgart. His adaptation has been positive, with the midfielder becoming a consistent figure in Sebastian Hoeness's side as they challenge for Champions League qualification. His performances in one of Europe's most competitive leagues have inevitably raised his profile and likely increased his value.
In his interview, Andrés balanced his affection for his former club with a professional commitment to his current employers. "That’s something the club has to decide - I’d be delighted to return to Madrid, but it’s not something I’m worrying about right now," he said. "I’m very happy at Stuttgart. I’ve told my agent I don’t want to know anything about that. When the time comes, we’ll talk and see what options we have." This stance indicates the player is content to let the contractual situation play out without agitation.
The context of Real Madrid's midfield planning adds a significant layer to this story. The club boasts a wealth of talent in the center of the park with established stars like Jude Bellingham, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Eduardo Camavinga, all of whom are young. Any decision to trigger the buyback clause would likely depend on squad planning and assessments of Andrés's potential to break into a crowded and elite group. For Stuttgart, the clause represents both a potential future windfall and the risk of losing a key asset at a predetermined price that may be below his market value if his development continues on its current trajectory.
For now, Andrés's immediate future is in the Bundesliga, where he will aim to help Stuttgart secure a top-four finish. His public openness to a Madrid return, however, ensures this storyline will resurface as the summer window approaches, with club officials from both sides undoubtedly monitoring the situation closely. The coming months will reveal whether Real Madrid see a need and an opportunity to bring one of their own back to the Bernabéu.
