Fulham ‘buy two Real Madrid stars’ as Alvaro Arbeloa agrees bizarre £50m double transfer

FULHAM have bought Real Madrid pair Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios after sealing a very peculiar deal. The Cottagers’ new manager Alvaro Arbeloa went back to his former club for reinforcements ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League season. Fulham are getting Real Madrid ace Gonzalo García in a peculiar deal Credit: Getty Images – Getty Cesar Palacios also joins Fulham from Real in a £50million package deal Credit: Getty Images – Getty According to Marca, Arbeloa, 43, has landed Garcia, 22, and Palacios, 21, in a £50million package. However, the same source claims the West Londoners only bought 70 per cent of the players’ rights. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! The other 30 per cent will be covering a sell-on clause included in their contracts. So Fulham will be full owners of the pair but any future sale would see Real getting a significant windfall. Garcia played under Arbeloa at the Santiago Bernabeu after the Spanish tactician replaced Xabi Alonso at the helm in January. The forward amassed eight goals and three assists in 39 appearances across all competitions last season. That added to the Spain international’s total of 13 goals and five assists in 51 appearances since joining Real‘s senior team in 2023. Palacios, on the other hand, has got Arbeloa to thank for his big break in Madrid’s first team last season. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK The playmaker registered seven appearances across all competitions after making his senior debut in January. Real are putting together a major revamp under returning manager Jose Mourinho. And in order to realise Mourinho’s vision, sales of fringe players need to be made as the ex-Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss doesn’t wish to part with big names. Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa reunites with Garcia and Palacios with the club getting 70 per cent of the pair Credit: 2026 PA Media Comment now