Fulham agree double deal for Real Madrid starlets after Alvaro Arbeloa request

Alvaro Arbeloa worked extensively with Garcia and Palacios while manager of Real Madrid Castilla, and he was keen to raid his former club to bring the pair to Craven Cottage.Alvaro Arbeloa worked extensively with Gonzalo Garcia at Real MadridGetty ImagesArbeloa was named interim manager of Real Madrid’s first team in January 2026 following the departure of Xabi Alonso.During that time, he handed Garcia a number of first-team opportunities, ultimately culminating in the 22-year-old earning his first and to date only senior Spain cap in a 1-1 draw with Iraq in April 2026.Fulham have been in the market for another striker to provide competition for Rodrigo Muniz, and Arbeloa identified Garcia as one of his top targets during discussions with the club’s board.Read MoreReal Madrid had initially told Fulham they did not intend to sell Garcia, but that stance softened this week, and Fulham re-entered negotiations, having briefly moved on to other targets.Palacios, meanwhile, will provide competition in central midfield, with Sasa Lukic potentially on the move to Ipswich Town.Standard Sport understands that Ipswich have Lukic high on their list of potential midfield targets, though they have yet to enter club-to-club talks with Fulham over a deal.