Real Madrid sells Ortega and Strasbourg recoups cash by selling Enciso, Ouattara to Ipswich
France's Dayot Upamecano (4) challenges for the ball with with Paraguay's Julio Enciso (19) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Paraguay and France in Philadelphia, Saturday, July 4, 2026. Credit: AP/Martin Meissner
STRASBOURG, France — Real Madrid sold center forward Jacobo Ortega on Monday to French club Strasbourg, which recouped more then five times the transfer fee by selling two players to Ipswich.
Strasbourg, owned by Chelsea’s holding company BlueCo, is under financial scrutiny from UEFA and its 13 million euros ($15 million) fine in June for overspending was the biggest imposed by the European soccer body on any club last season.
The 20-year-old Ortega cost a reported 10 million euros ($11.6 million) from Madrid to help replace Paraguay forward Julio Enciso, who left Strasbourg for newly-promoted Ipswich, where he spent time on loan two seasons ago when the club was last in the Premier League.
Enciso started all five Paraguay games at the World Cup and scored against Germany in the round of 32. He also featured in an opening 4-1 loss to the United States and a testy and aggressive 1-0 loss to France in the round of 16.
Ipswich said it also signed Strasbourg's 20-year-old midfielder Abdoul Ouattara, with the two deals reportedly costing a combined 50 million euros ($58 million).
Enciso and Ouattara signed five-year contracts, Ipswich said, and reunite with coach Gary O'Neil, who was at Strasbourg for the second half of last season.
Strasbourg's offseason transfer trading now shows a profit of about 80 million euros ($92 million), after being advised by UEFA to “significantly decrease” player costs in 2026.
FILE- Real Madrid's players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Youth League final soccer match between Club Brugge and Real Madrid in Lausanne, Switzerland, Monday, April 20, 2026. Credit: AP/Jean-Christophe Bott
Two significant sales have been to parent club Chelsea, who signed Strasbourg captain Emmanuel Emegha and Argentina midfielder Valentín Barco.
Madrid did not provide any details about the deal for Ortega, who scored in the UEFA Youth League final against Club Brugge in Lausanne last season. After a 1-1 draw, Madrid won the title — effectively the Champions League for under-19 teams — in a penalty shootout.
Strasbourg said Ortega, who never played for the Madrid first team, signed a five-year contract.
The French club also signed U.S. midfielder Gio Reyna from Borussia Mönchengladbach this month.
Strasbourg reached the Conference League semifinals last season and placed eighth in Ligue 1, but did not qualify for any of UEFA's European competitions.
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