Report: From FC Barcelona to Real Madrid, how talents became a source of income

Real Madrid is setting an impressive example in turning its academy players into a significant source of financial revenue, while FC Barcelona has started exploring the same approach this summer, benefiting from the talents of La Masia that are not included in the first team's plans in the near term.

Real Madrid has raised around €210 million this summer from selling players developed at Valdebebas, a sum that has helped the club finance the bulk of its spending on new signings.

Real Madrid's benefits do not only come from the direct sale value, as the club has retained a portion of the players' rights in many deals, along with buy-back options and priority rights in future sales, allowing it to maintain an economic connection with the talents leaving the club.

One of the most notable examples is Gonzalo García, who transferred to Fulham for €40 million, alongside Cézar Palacios and Manuel Ángel. The club also generated revenue from players who are no longer part of the squad, such as Víctor Muñoz, Mario Gila, Álex Jiménez, Álvaro Rodríguez, Shama Andrés, and Mario Martín.

Nico Paz stands out as the prime example of this model, with the transfer valued at €60 million, while Real Madrid retains the option to buy the player back for €80 million.

On the other hand, FC Barcelona has started to follow a similar formula with some La Masia players, having collected €44.5 million from the sale of eight players from its academy, excluding some amounts related to training rights.

FC Barcelona has relied on selling 50% of player rights while retaining a buyback option in several of its transfers. These operations included Tomi Márquez, Héctor Fort, Jofre Torinets, Gil Fernández, Toni Fernández, and Álvaro Cortés.

FC Barcelona had used the same formula with Jan Verghil before a year, before the club generated new income this summer after the player's transfer from Mallorca to Club Brugge.

Inaki Peña has left FC Barcelona permanently for 3 million euros without the club retaining an option on his rights.

This policy reveals the difference in experience between the two clubs, with Real Madrid successfully turning the sale of its academy talents into a significant financial resource, compared to FC Barcelona's initial exploration of this model to benefit from La Masia players who do not have a place in Hans Flick's plans in the near term.