Fulham agree €50m double deal with Real Madrid
Fulham have agreed deals to sign Real Madrid academy graduates Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios in a combined package worth €50million (£42.9m; $57.4m). The proposed agreement values striker Garcia at €40m, while attacking midfielder Palacios is expected to cost €10m. Both transfers include 30 per cent sell-on clauses in favour of Real Madrid, protecting the Spanish club’s interest in the players’ future development. Subject to the remaining formalities, the pair are set to reunite with Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa at Craven Cottage.
The Athletic reported earlier last week that Fulham were in advanced talks over Garcia and were progressing in negotiations for Palacios. Sources briefed on the situation have expressed confidence that both deals will be completed. Garcia, 22, and Palacios, 21, are understood to be keen on the opportunity to play Premier League football under Arbeloa. The Fulham manager knows both players well from his time working within Real Madrid’s youth system.
Attacking rebuild after key departures
The arrivals would represent a major early step in Fulham’s attacking rebuild following the exits of Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez. Wilson, Fulham’s leading scorer last season, has joined Leeds United after his contract expired. Jimenez has also departed as a free agent, returning to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Their departures have left a significant gap in Fulham’s forward options ahead of the new campaign.
Garcia and Palacios are expected to become Fulham’s first new signings of the summer transfer window. They would join Swedish forward Jonah Kusi-Asare, whose move from Bayern Munich was made permanent after he spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Craven Cottage. Fulham’s recruitment strategy appears focused on younger players with strong technical development and room to grow in the Premier League. Arbeloa’s existing relationship with the Madrid duo could prove important in helping them settle quickly in west London.
Garcia brings goals and promise
Garcia has attracted interest from clubs across Europe after making an impact in Real Madrid’s first-team squad last season. He played 39 times in all competitions, largely from the bench, and scored eight goals. His standout moment came in January, when he scored a hat-trick against Real Betis. Garcia had also impressed at last summer’s Club World Cup, where he won the Golden Boot after scoring four goals.
Four of Garcia’s eight goals last season came after Arbeloa replaced Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid head coach in January. Madrid had reportedly decided months earlier that Garcia would leave during the summer, although the process was delayed following Mourinho’s arrival. The Portuguese coach is said to have been impressed by the striker during pre-season but could not guarantee him a prominent role. That situation left Garcia with a significant decision over his future, with Fulham now appearing to offer a clear route to regular senior football.
Palacios targets first-team football
Palacios made seven first-team appearances for Real Madrid last season, including five in La Liga, after making his senior debut in January. The attacking midfielder is highly regarded for his creativity, technical ability and intelligence between the lines. His proposed move comes amid expectations that several Madrid academy players could seek opportunities elsewhere following Castilla’s failure to gain promotion to Spain’s second tier. Regular football in the Premier League would offer Palacios a major platform at a crucial stage of his development.
Arbeloa signed a three-year contract at Fulham this summer after replacing Marco Silva, who moved to Benfica. The managerial changes have also seen Mourinho take over at Real Madrid, replacing Arbeloa in the Spanish capital. Against that backdrop, Fulham’s proposed double signing could mark the beginning of a new era under their new head coach.