Homegrown player Gonzalo Garcia is leaving Real Madrid to continue playing under Álvaro Arbeloa. FC Fulham is transferring at least 40 million euros to Spain for him—and is also signing another player.
Real Madrid has already been busy in the transfer market and plans to continue doing so. Consequently, other players must logically leave to ensure a healthy squad and financial structure. The club is now set to earn a tidy sum from homegrown player Gonzalo Garcia.
According to consistent media reports, Fulham FC is transferring a base transfer fee of around 40 million euros to the Spanish capital so that Álvaro Arbeloa, the London club’s new coach, can continue to work with the 22-year-old center forward. However, Fulham is acquiring “only” 70 percent of the Spaniard’s transfer rights, meaning Real would receive a share of any future resale.
For Gonzalo, this marks his departure after seven years and his first move abroad. He caught Real’s attention at the Club World Cup a year ago, where he scored four goals in six games. Last season, he still managed six goals in 30 La Liga matches, though he came off the bench 21 times. Now, Gonzalo hopes to establish himself as a regular starter.
Palacios is also moving to London
“I’m very grateful and really happy to be here,” said Gonzalo during his introduction at his new club. “I’d like to thank the board and Arbeloa for the trust they’ve placed in me, and I’m really looking forward to getting started.” Fulham’s owner and director of professional soccer, Tony Khan, added that “we’re all convinced that Gonzalo will be a great addition to the squad and, under Álvaro’s leadership, will prove to be an outstanding player for the club.”
As part of the same deal, the Premier League club will also receive 70 percent of the transfer rights to Cesar Palacios (21)—another young attacking player whom Arbeloa knows and values from his time with Real Madrid’s reserves—for an additional 10 million euros. Palacios made five brief appearances in La Liga for Real Madrid’s first team last season.
