Brighton & Hove Albion maintain Real Madrid do not have a buyback clause for former academy graduate – report

Brighton & Hove Albion maintain Real Madrid do not have a buyback clause for former academy graduate – report Brighton & Hove Albion’s decision to sign Chema Andres in the summer for a fee of just €22 million has proven to be an absolute masterstroke. The former Real Madrid academy player has done well in the Premier League so far, which has put a number of top clubs, including Real Madrid themselves, on high alert. Due to the relatively low transfer fee, there has also been speculation that Real Madrid still retain a buyback clause in the player’s contract. Brighton believe Real Madrid have no buyback clause Chema Andres is doing well in the Premier League. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) According to journalist Graeme Bailey , Brighton are adamant that no such mechanism exists, despite the growing noise in Spain to the contrary. The Seagulls moved swiftly to land the highly rated 21-year-old on deadline day, and sources at the club firmly insist there is no buy-back clause in the deal. That stance comes even as some Spanish sources suggest the modest fee hints at a lingering connection between the two clubs. Real Madrid did previously hold a buy-back option on Andres but chose not to activate it during the summer, clearing the way for Brighton to complete the move. At the time, Madrid were weighing up whether to let Thiago Pitarch leave, but the youngster stayed and Andres was instead permitted to continue his development elsewhere. A return to the Bernabeu still a dream Chema Andres could be an ideal fit at Real Madrid. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) While Brighton are confident they have secured a long-term asset, the player’s own words will only intensify the speculation. Andres, whose composed, tempo-dictating displays have drawn comparisons with Rodri and Sergio Busquets, has never hidden his affection for the club where he was raised. During the recent international break, he made clear that a Bernabeu return remains a future ambition. “For me, as I’ve always said, Madrid is the club that has given me everything, and for me it would be an honor to return,” Andres said. “But right now I’m not thinking about that because I’ve just arrived at Brighton and I feel great there, but that (returning to Madrid) is always a possibility.” For now, though, the midfielder is focused solely on making his mark under Fabian Hurzeler. And with Brighton insisting they hold all the cards, any Real Madrid move to re-sign one of their own would likely prove far more complicated, and expensive, than a simple buy-back.