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30 July 2026

In a significant development, COPE has reported that Real Madrid have struck an agreement with Fulham for the transfer of academy graduate Gonzalo Garcia in a deal worth around €70 million.

The La Fabrica forward is set to join Alvaro Arbeloa’s side ahead of the new season, with Los Blancos making sure they keep considerable control over his future by inserting a preferential buy-back clause into the agreement.

The transfer marks the end of Gonzalo’s progression through La Fabrica, while also handing him the chance to establish himself as an important player in the Premier League.

Fulham have been chasing Gonzalo throughout the summer, and Arbeloa played a key role in persuading both the player and the club.

Having previously worked with the striker during his spell at Real Madrid, the former defender viewed Gonzalo as the ideal choice to spearhead Fulham’s new project.

The Premier League club eventually matched Real Madrid’s valuation, enabling negotiations to be concluded successfully.

For Gonzalo, the switch offers the prospect of regular first-team football, something that would have been difficult to guarantee at the Santiago Bernabeu had he remained.

Even though Real Madrid have agreed to part ways with the striker, they have safeguarded their position by negotiating a preferential buy-back option.

The clause means the club will have the chance to bring Gonzalo back if he realises his potential in England, underlining the Merengues’ growing strategy of allowing talented academy players to continue their development elsewhere without fully surrendering control over their futures.

Gonzalo leaves Real Madrid after a promising breakthrough campaign. The striker made 39 appearances for the first team and scored eight goals in all competitions, with six of those strikes coming in La Liga.

His displays confirmed that he is capable of competing at senior level, but the intense competition in Real Madrid’s attack ultimately made a permanent transfer the best outcome for all concerned.

The move also continues Real Madrid’s recent success in generating major revenue from academy graduates.

The €70 million fee for Gonzalo adds to the sizeable sums received in recent years from players developed at La Fabrica, including Nico Paz, Victor Munoz, Alvaro Rodriguez, Alex Jimenez, Mario Martin and Fran Garcia.

Real Madrid are also in advanced talks with Fulham over a deal for Cesar Palacios, which would ensure further income.

By combining strong financial returns with carefully negotiated buy-back protections, Real Madrid are continuing to balance immediate revenue with the possibility of re-signing their most promising academy talents in the future.