Chema Andres open to Real Madrid return amid buyback clause speculation
Real Madrid hold a €13 million buyback option on Stuttgart midfielder Chema Andres, who has stated he would be "delighted" to return to the Spanish capital. The 23-year-old, who spent two seasons in Real Madrid's Castilla side before joining the Bundesliga club for €3 million last summer, addressed the ongoing speculation in an interview with The Athletic. According to the source, Real Madrid can activate the clause this summer, with the price rising to €16 million in 2027.
Andres has become a regular starter for Stuttgart in his debut season, impressing with his composure and distribution from a deep-lying midfield role. His form in the first half of the 2025-26 campaign led to reports that Real Madrid, who have faced midfield injury issues this season, were considering triggering the repatriation clause. While those rumors have cooled in recent months, the contractual mechanism remains a clear possibility for the upcoming transfer window.
When asked about the potential move, Andres indicated his focus remains on Stuttgart. "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 told The Athletic. "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." He also revealed he has shared light-hearted jokes on the topic with teammate Angelo Stiller, who has also been linked with a move to Madrid following the appointment of Xabi Alonso as manager.
The situation presents a strategic decision for Real Madrid's hierarchy. Activating the clause would bring back a known quantity developed within their own system at a relatively modest fee, providing squad depth and a homegrown player slot. However, according to the source material, the club's current priority for a major midfield investment appears to be elsewhere, with Paris Saint-Germain's Vitinha mentioned as a primary target, though a deal is considered difficult. Other names like Manchester City's Rodri, Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, and an unnamed player referred to as Kees Smit have also appeared on reported shortlists.
This landscape could make Andres's buyback clause an attractive alternative or supplementary move. Furthermore, the source notes that Manchester United are also showing interest in the Spaniard. Should Real Madrid choose not to exercise their option, they could still benefit financially from a sale by another club, as Stuttgart would owe them a significant portion of any profit due to a sell-on clause believed to be part of the original agreement. Andres's immediate future will likely become clearer once the season concludes and Real Madrid's broader transfer strategy takes shape.
