Real Madrid defender set to join La Liga rivals in €4 million move on a four-year contract

Real Madrid have agreed to sell left-back Fran Garcia to La Liga rivals Real Betis in a deal worth €4 million for 50% of the player’s economic rights, reports El Chiringuito TV.

By retaining half of the 26-year-old’s future economic rights, Real Madrid ensure they will pocket half of any transfer fee should Betis decide to sell him down the line.

Garcia says goodbye

Furthermore, the report states that Garcia has finalised personal terms with the Andalusian club, putting pen to paper on a four-year contract that ties him to the Estadio Benito Villamarín until June 2030.

The moving parts of the deal progressed rapidly after Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini identified the energetic full-back as a priority signing to reinforce his defensive flank.

On his way to Real Betis. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

For Garcia, the move offers a vital opportunity to secure consistent first-team football after slipping down the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu behind Alvaro Carreras, Ferland Mendy, and now Marc Cucurella, who was signed from Chelsea this summer.

The academy graduate originally rejoined Real Madrid from Rayo Vallecano in the summer of 2023 after the club triggered a €5 million buyback clause.

The Spanish outlet reports that Garcia’s move to Betis can be concluded as early as today, with the defender expected to sign his contract and complete his medicals in the coming hours.

Another financial boost from an academy graduate

This €4 million transaction feeds directly into an unprecedented summer financial masterclass for Real Madrid.

Garcia on his way out. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

The Merengues have now generated well over €100 million this window exclusively by capitalising on academy graduates and peripheral squad assets, including the high-profile windfalls from Nico Paz’s move to Como and Mario Gila’s transfer to AC Milan.

Having spent more than €50 million on Cucurella and with Jose Mourinho trusting Alvaro Carreras, there was simply no place in the squad for Garcia.

A move to Betis, where he can play regularly, will come as a boost for the player, while Real Madrid bring in revenue for a player in the final year of his contract while retaining some degree of control over his future.