A strategy that pays off: Real Madrid reap huge capital gains through buy-back clauses

In recent years, Real Madrid have overhauled their approach to managing academy talent. Until not long ago, youngsters in need of experience were simply sent out on loan. Now, however, the club tend to sell 50% of a player’s rights, retaining either a buy-back option or half of any future resale fee. The model encourages buying clubs to invest in the player’s development, safe in the knowledge they own a significant stake and can keep him for several seasons.

The results are starting to show. Real Madrid are currently tracking around ten young players away from the Bernabéu, many of whom have seen their market value soar. The most striking case is Nico Paz, sold to Como two summers ago: initially valued at €10m, he is now worth €65m – a rise of 650 per cent. Jacobo Ramón (from €1m to €18m) and Chema de Andrés (from €800,000 to €14.8m) have also enjoyed major increases. Other notable examples include Mario Gila, Álex Jiménez and Víctor Muñoz, all of whom have undergone significant revaluations.

Overall, these deals have generated an increase in value of more than €160m for the club. Some players, such as Fran García and Brahim Díaz, were brought back to Madrid after impressing elsewhere, while others – including Rafa Marín and Miguel Gutiérrez – have delivered much-needed liquidity to the Bernabéu, enabling further investment in the market.

Even the most debated cases, such as Takefusa Kubo, underline the effectiveness of the strategy: despite fluctuations in his valuation, the club retain control over future opportunities. This revamped youth policy is proving to be a genuine goldmine for Real Madrid, maximising capital gains while continuing to nurture talent for the first team’s future.