Real Madrid have triggered their option to buy Uefa Euro 2024 debutant Joselu from Espanyol but will sell him to Qatari side Al-Gharafa, according to a report.
Well-travelled Joselu joined Real Madrid in a surprise loan move before the 2023/24 campaign, producing 17 goals and three assists on his way to earning a place in Spain’s squad at the finals.
The Champions League winners will sign the 34-year-old for around £1.3 million but have agreed a deal with Al-Gharafa for the same price, transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano has said.
🚨⚪️ Understand Real Madrid have just activated the buy option from Espanyol for Joselu, worth €1.5m.
↪️🇶🇦 Real Madrid will formally sell Joselu to Qatari side Al Gharafa for the same price.
Joselu will sign two year deal with option at Al Gharafa, as exclusively revealed. pic.twitter.com/wHa76CvaFc
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 27, 2024
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Joselu Real Madrid record
The highlight of Joselu’s season was an extraordinary double to see Madrid past Bayern Munich in the second leg of their European semi-final, scoring in the 88th and 91st minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu as part of a run of four goals in his final six appearances for the Spanish champions.
He came on as a substitute in their victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final and made his major tournament bow for Spain by starting their 1-0 win over Albania in their closing group-stage match on Monday.
Madrid “could not compete” with the riches on offer for Joselu from his purported new side, according to Marca, which claimed he has been offered terms worth around £7.2m as part of a two-year deal with an option for a third.
Líderes ⚽️💥!!! @realmadrid pic.twitter.com/IT2toVGXXN
— Joselu Mato (@JoseluMato9) February 1, 2024
Joselu Spain goals
Joselu’s remarkable rise has continued in 2024, scoring twice in three minutes in a Euro Qualifier against Norway shortly after coming on to make his Roja debut in March.
“I have a lot of football left in me,” he told the Guardian in April. “Physically, I’m in one of my best moments of my career.
“I’ve just turned 34 but I don’t feel it. Fifteen years ago, no one would sign a 34-year-old but now you do. You change habits, mature.
“Life changes. I have two children: you tuck them in at nine and go to bed yourself. You adapt to what your body asks of you. Reaching here at 33, 34, is not easy, and I’m not planning to stop now.”
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Spain won all of their group-stage games in Germany, starting with a 3-0 thrashing of Croatia before beating reigning champions Italy 1-0.
The three-time champions play a Georgia side at their first major tournament in the round of 16 in Cologne on Sunday (8pm BST).
