Real Madrid's move for Espí, confirmed on Thursday, capped a whirlwind operation that took shape in a matter of hours.
Levante had a deal with Hull City well advanced, and Brighton were also closing in on an agreement, but both were derailed once Real Madrid entered the picture. The forward had told Levante a week earlier that he expected to leave this summer, with several clubs willing to pay his release clause, but he had held off giving a definitive answer, aware this was his first major contract.
Villarreal, Lazio, Bologna and Ipswich Town had also been credited with interest. Espí, 21, is tied to Real Madrid until 30 June 2031; at Levante he had been under contract until 2028 with a €25m release clause, the figure ultimately paid to trigger his departure, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The move is Levante's biggest-ever sale of an academy graduate, the club said in its official statement, and comes after Real Madrid also completed the exit of Gonzalo García to Fulham on the same day, in a deal worth around €40m.
Espí arrived at Levante's Ciudad Deportiva in the summer of 2022 as a second-year youth player to reinforce the Juvenil A side, helping the team win the league title that season. He made his first-team debut on 18 February 2024 against Racing de Ferrol at the Estadio de A Malata, then played a key role in Levante's promotion the following season, making 36 appearances and scoring six goals in the second tier.
In his debut top-flight campaign, Espí established himself as one of LaLiga's breakout stars, finishing as Levante's top scorer with 11 goals in 25 league matches, earning the division's player of the month award for March and the league's best under-23 player prize at season's end.
Across three seasons with the first team he made 66 appearances and scored 20 goals, while also representing Spain at under-19 and under-20 level.
"We want to thank you for every effort, for your commitment and for the excitement with which you have worn this badge since day one," Levante said in its statement.
"We are very proud to have accompanied your growth and to see you achieve a new professional challenge.
"This will always be your home."