Fulham have completed the signing of César Palacios from Real Madrid as part of a €50 million double deal that also brings striker Gonzalo García to Craven Cottage. The move sees the 21-year-old attacking midfielder reunite with manager Álvaro Arbeloa following their time together in the Spanish club’s academy system.
Palacios has agreed a five-year contract running until 2031, with Fulham holding an option for an additional twelve months. The Spain youth international is valued at €10 million, while García accounts for the remaining €40 million of the package. Real Madrid have negotiated a 30 percent sell-on clause for both players, ensuring the La Liga giants retain a financial stake in any future transfer.
Academy reunion
The transfer marks a significant reunion for Palacios and Arbeloa, who worked extensively together through Real Madrid’s youth system. Sources indicate the prospect of working under the former Liverpool defender again proved decisive in the midfielder’s decision to move to west London.
Palacios made seven first-team appearances for Real Madrid last season, including five outings in La Liga, after making his senior debut in January. However, with opportunities expected to remain limited under José Mourinho, the club sanctioned his exit alongside García following pre-season assessments.
Speaking through the club’s official channels, Palacios described the transfer as an “emotional” moment and “the perfect next step” in his career. García told Fulham’s website he was “grateful to the board and to Arbeloa for the confidence placed in him” and voiced “strong excitement ahead of the season”.
Attacking rebuild
The double swoop addresses urgent attacking requirements at Craven Cottage. Fulham lost last season’s top scorer Harry Wilson to Leeds United and saw Raúl Jiménez return to Wolverhampton Wanderers when their contracts expired. The permanent arrival of Jonah Kusi-Asare from Bayern Munich earlier this summer had been the club’s only offensive reinforcement prior to this week.
For Palacios, the Premier League switch offers the prospect of regular first-team football that Madrid’s crowded squad could not guarantee. The retained sell-on clauses align with Real Madrid’s standard practice when releasing academy graduates, allowing Los Blancos to benefit should either player command a significant future fee.
Both players are expected to feature in Fulham’s pre-season preparations as Arbeloa looks to integrate the new recruits ahead of the Premier League campaign. The investment reflects the club’s ambition to rebuild their attacking unit following the departure of established senior forwards.