Report: Fulham close to double La Liga move | OneFootball

Fulham Close in on Real Madrid Duo After Medicals

Ambitious Business at Craven Cottage

Fulham are on the verge of completing two eye catching signings from Real Madrid, with Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios undergoing medicals ahead of permanent moves. According to Sky Sports, the combined fee is expected to reach around £42.3 million, highlighting Fulham’s intent before the new season.

Arbeloa Shapes Summer Recruitment

Garcia, the 22 year old striker who finished as top scorer at last summer’s Club World Cup, is set to arrive for around £34 million. Meanwhile, highly rated midfielder Palacios, 18, will cost approximately £8.5 million after making his senior Real Madrid debut in January.

Photo: IMAGO

“New Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has been a driving force behind these two deals,” thanks to his close knowledge of both players from his time at Real Madrid. That familiarity could prove invaluable as Fulham invest in youth, quality and long term potential. Credit to Sky Sports for the original reporting.

Photo IMAGO

Our View

As excited football supporters, this feels like a statement of intent from Fulham. Signing one promising talent from Real Madrid would have turned heads, bringing in two suggests the club believes it can push towards the Premier League’s top half rather than simply securing another comfortable campaign.

The biggest attraction is Gonzalo Garcia. Finishing as top scorer at the Club World Cup is no small achievement, and at 22 he appears ready for the next stage of his career. There will naturally be pressure attached to a £34 million fee, but Fulham have shown in recent years that they are willing to back ambitious recruitment when the right opportunity arises.

Palacios may receive less attention initially, yet his signing could prove equally important over time. Young midfielders coming through Real Madrid’s academy are usually technically gifted and tactically intelligent, qualities that should suit English football if he adapts quickly.

Arbeloa’s influence is perhaps the most encouraging aspect of all. Managers naturally perform better when they trust the players arriving, and his existing relationship with both footballers should help them settle. Fulham supporters have every reason to anticipate an exciting new chapter if these transfers deliver on their considerable promise.

Source: Sky sports