Real Madrid has reached an agreement with Fulham for the transfer of “La Fábrica” academy duo Gonzalo García and César Palacios. The double deal comes at the specific request of new Fulham manager Álvaro Arbeloa, who was eager to reunite with two players whose capabilities he knows intimately.
Arbeloa, who took charge of Fulham following his stint with Real Madrid’s first team, insisted on adding both players to his new project in the Premier League, especially given their limited prospects for immediate first-team minutes at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Financial Breakdown & Sell-On Clauses
According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Fulham will pay €40 million to acquire a 70% stake in Gonzalo García’s economic rights. Meanwhile, the deal for César Palacios is valued between €8 million and €10 million for an identical 70% share.
This structure values Gonzalo at approximately €57 million overall, with the total financial package hovering near €60 million—a valuation previously cited by AS during negotiations.
While initial reports from Cadena COPE suggested a direct €70 million fee for Gonzalo, updated details clarify that Real Madrid will collect an immediate windfall of €48 million to €50 million from the combined 70% sales. This immediate injection provides welcome revenue for the Spanish club as they balance their summer books.
Crucially, Real Madrid refused to part with either player entirely. By retaining a 30% stake in both players:
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Future Profits: Real Madrid will receive 30% of any future transfer fee if Fulham sells either player.
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Buyback Negotiation Leverage: While Fulham holds full sporting control over the players’ usage and roster status, Real Madrid retains leverage should they attempt to bring either prospect back to Spain in the future.
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Matching Rights: Reports from AS indicate Real Madrid also secured a right-of-first-refusal regarding Gonzalo’s future.
This model extends Real Madrid’s established strategy with academy talents. The club has previously generated over €100 million by retaining partial economic rights on players such as Nico Paz, Víctor Muñoz, Álvaro Rodríguez, Miguel Gutiérrez, and Fran García.
Gonzalo García’s Journey to the Premier League
Gonzalo García leaves Real Madrid twelve years after joining the club’s youth setup as a 10-year-old in 2014. Rising through the ranks under Arbeloa’s guidance, he delivered a standout 2024–2025 campaign for Real Madrid Castilla, scoring 25 goals.
The Spanish forward made a splash during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, scoring four goals and providing an assist to win the Golden Boot and earn a spot in the Team of the Tournament. Following that performance, he extended his contract with Real Madrid through June 2030 before accepting the move to England.
César Palacios Reunites with Arbeloa
César Palacios, 21, joined Real Madrid’s academy in 2020 from Numancia. Under Arbeloa’s tutelage, he played a key role in the Under-19 side that won both the Copa del Rey Juventud and the Copa de Campeones in 2023.
Capable of filling multiple attacking roles, Palacios developed into a core player for Castilla before making his official senior debut against Albacete in January 2026. He subsequently made appearances in both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
Despite attracting interest from Como, Porto, and Osasuna, Arbeloa’s intervention diverted Palacios to Craven Cottage for his first professional campaign outside of Spain.
