Luka Jovic Set for Shock Getafe Return After Milan Exit

Real Madrid flop linked with surprise move to Getafe on free transfer

Just when it seemed Luka Jovic’s career in European football might be winding down, the Serbian striker is back in the headlines—this time, linked with a rather unexpected return to La Liga. According to reports in Spain, the former Real Madrid forward is a serious target for Getafe, who are exploring the possibility of snapping him up on a free transfer after his release from AC Milan.

At first glance, it may seem like an odd move for both club and player. But dig a little deeper, and the links begin to make more sense—especially in the context of Getafe’s current squad situation and Jovic’s desire for a fresh start in familiar territory.

A Career in Flux: From Bernabeu to the San Siro… and Now?

Once hailed as one of Europe’s hottest young forwards during his time at Eintracht Frankfurt, Jovic’s €60 million move to Real Madrid in 2019 was meant to be the beginning of something special. Instead, it proved to be a turning point in the wrong direction. He struggled to find minutes, form, and goals at the Bernabéu, netting just twice in 32 appearances across three seasons.

After multiple loan spells—including a brief return to Frankfurt and a stint at Fiorentina—the striker attempted to revive his career at AC Milan last summer. But once again, he failed to make the impact many had hoped for. Jovic made just six starts in Serie A last season, largely used as a backup option behind Olivier Giroud and later, Noah Okafor. With Milan looking to refresh their attacking options, the decision not to renew his contract seemed inevitable.

That decision now opens the door for Getafe.

Getafe Interested – But There’s a Catch

JOVIC

Spanish outlet AS reports that Getafe are seriously considering Jovic as a potential summer reinforcement. With his status as a free agent and plenty of La Liga experience under his belt, Jovic ticks many of the boxes for José Bordalás’ side. The club is short on firepower following an underwhelming campaign in front of goal and sees the Serbian as a potential answer—if they can afford him.

Here’s the issue: Jovic’s reported salary demands. The 26-year-old is asking for around €3 million per year, a figure that would require Getafe to offload players first. The club is already working on solutions, with strikers Borja Mayoral and Christantus Uche both potentially on the chopping block to make room in both the budget and the squad.

Mayoral, a former Real Madrid man himself, enjoyed a solid start to life at Getafe but has struggled with injuries. Meanwhile, Uche has found game time hard to come by. If Getafe can successfully move both on, it may just unlock the funds needed to bring Jovic in.

Real Madrid Still Casting a Shadow

There’s a certain irony in this whole saga—Jovic may be headed back to the league where his biggest career move went off the rails, and possibly even to a club with a deep Madrid connection. Getafe and Real Madrid have had a close working relationship over the years, often exchanging players on loan or in budget-friendly deals. This summer, the two clubs were in talks for Madrid youngster Gonzalo García to join Getafe temporarily, but the plan was abruptly scrapped after García’s impressive form prompted Madrid to retain him as a squad option—especially in light of Kylian Mbappé’s arrival.

This development only increased Getafe’s urgency to bolster their forward line, putting Jovic’s name at the top of their list.

Cruz Azul Made a Move Too

Interestingly, Getafe aren’t the only club knocking on Jovic’s door. Mexican giants Cruz Azul have also made a concrete approach, hoping to lure the striker to Liga MX with a lucrative offer. Jovic reportedly even discussed the move with Milan teammate Santiago Giménez, who also features for the Mexican national team. Though a switch to Mexico might have tempted some, Jovic is said to prefer staying in Europe for now, especially with Euro 2028 qualification and Serbia’s national team ambitions on the horizon.

At this point in his career, visibility and game time in one of Europe’s top leagues might hold more weight than the paycheck—though the numbers still matter.

A Second Chance in Spain?

While his time at Madrid was, by most accounts, a failure, Jovic did show flashes of his talent in Spain. A move to Getafe wouldn’t come with the pressure of playing for one of the world’s biggest clubs. In fact, it might offer exactly what he needs: a chance to rebuild, to play regularly, and to contribute meaningfully without the constant spotlight.

For Getafe, it’s a gamble—but potentially a smart one. They know what a motivated, fit Jovic can bring: intelligent movement, a solid first touch, and sharp finishing inside the box. At 26, he’s still in what should be the prime of his career. If they can get the financials right, this may be a rare win-win.

What Happens Next?

Jovic, understandably, is taking his time to weigh up the options. As things stand, Getafe would need to offload Mayoral and Uche to make the deal happen. Until that happens, any move remains on ice. But the interest is real, and discussions are ongoing behind the scenes.

For now, the Serbian striker is a free agent with choices to make. A return to La Liga, a bold move to Mexico, or perhaps a curveball from another European club—anything’s possible. But Getafe are in the mix, and that alone makes this one of the more intriguing under-the-radar stories of the transfer window.

Stay tuned. Jovic’s next move might just be his most important one yet.