Fulham advancing in talks for Real Madrid’s Cesar Palacios | OneFootball

Fulham are advancing in talks with Real Madrid over a move for attacking midfielder Cesar Palacios, with parallel negotiations for striker Gonzalo Garcia, according to NY Times.

Madrid are expected to seek clauses covering future sales of academy products. Discussions centre on straightforward transfers for both players rather than the 50 per cent rights model Madrid often deploy.

Sources close to negotiations are confident Fulham will complete both deals, with the pair keen on the Premier League under Alvaro Arbeloa. The Spaniard was appointed Marco Silva’s successor this summer, having stepped up from Castilla to lead Madrid’s first team for the second half of 2025-26 when Xabi Alonso was sacked.

Palacios, 21, made his senior debut for Madrid in January 2026 and featured seven times last season, including five La Liga outings from the bench. Fulham’s top Premier League scorer last season, attacking midfielder Harry Wilson, left on a free this summer and has joined Leeds United.

Garcia, 22, has been in talks with Fulham, with Arbeloa, regarded as his mentor, closely involved. New Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho admires the striker but cannot promise him a prominent role, leaving the decision to the player. Any agreement for Garcia would be well above €30 million (£25.71m, $34.17m).

Source: NY Times