After losing several key players this summer, Real Madrid Castilla are preparing to welcome Óscar Naasei, a young Ghanaian defender arriving from Granada.
With the summer transfer window entering its final hours, Real Madrid have completed one of their most discreet signings of the market. It is now official: Real Madrid and Granada have reached an agreement for the transfer of Óscar Naasei. The 21-year-old Ghanaian centre-back will initially join Real Madrid Castilla, coached by Julián López de Lerma.
According to José Félix Díaz, the Spanish giants had already tried to sign Naasei last season, but Granada rejected Madrid’s first approach and demanded the full payment of his €10 million release clause. This time, however, the situation has changed significantly. According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid will eventually pay around €2 million to complete the deal.
A physical and versatile defender
Naasei fits the profile of a modern defender. Standing at 1.85 metres, he naturally operates as a centre-back, although he has also shown that he can play at right-back when required.
His main qualities are his physical strength, his ability to dominate individual battles and his long stride, which allows him to cover large spaces quickly when defending high up the pitch. He is an aggressive defender who enjoys contact and is particularly competitive in aerial duels.
During the 2025/26 season, the Ghanaian won 56% of his ground duels and was dribbled past only seven times in 37 appearances. Despite being only 21, he has already accumulated close to 50 matches in Spain’s second division, giving him valuable experience for a player of his age.
Filling the gaps at Castilla
Naasei’s arrival also responds to an important sporting need for Real Madrid Castilla. The reserve side have lost several influential players this summer as part of the club’s wider strategy of generating revenue through academy departures while strengthening the first team.
One of the most significant exits was Víctor Valdepeñas, who featured regularly in central defence last season. Fran González and César Palacios have also left the club, weakening the overall structure of the squad ahead of the new Primera RFEF campaign.
Naasei therefore represents another example of Real Madrid’s recent recruitment strategy: identifying promising players who are already developing in Spanish football rather than making more expensive and uncertain investments abroad.
Racing Santander midfielder Sergio Martínez could reportedly be another player to follow a similar path, with Madrid having monitored him even before his first appearance in La Liga.
Could he reach the first team?
For now, Naasei’s immediate objective will be to establish himself with Castilla. However, the possibility of eventually reaching Real Madrid’s senior squad cannot be completely ruled out.
🚨 Oscaar Naasei a signé son contrat, il rejoint le Real Madrid Castilla. @bestofyousports pic.twitter.com/sqzv8nvZPa
— Le Journal du Real (@lejournaldureal) August 27, 2026
If he adapts quickly and performs consistently, José Mourinho could decide to include him in first-team training sessions or matchday squads, just as he has already done with young players such as Mario Rivas, Alexis Ciria and Jorge Cestero.
Madrid’s defensive situation could also work in his favour. Behind the Huijsen-Konaté partnership, there remain several uncertainties. Antonio Rüdiger struggled to convince during pre-season, Éder Militão continues to deal with injury problems and Raúl Asencio is currently battling another setback related to his tibia injury.
For Naasei, the priority remains Castilla. But if he can prove himself quickly, the pathway toward the Real Madrid first team could open sooner than expected.
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