Real Madrid secures €50 million from Fulham for two academy graduates

Fulham completed the transfer of Real Madrid youth products Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios, signing them to five-year deals that run until the summer of 2031, with an optional extra year for Garcia. The Premier League side paid a total of €50 million to the Spanish club, revising earlier figures that suggested a €70 million fee for Garcia and €10 million for Palacios. Both players were personally requested by former Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa, now managing Fulham.

Real Madrid secured a 30% sell-on clause for each youngster but omitted a traditional buy-back clause; however, a matching rights provision allows Garcia to return if Fulham agrees to a future transfer. The transfers provide Los Blancos with a sizable windfall from players not expected to feature under new head coach Jose Mourinho, while keeping a financial interest in their development.