Fulham agree £42.3m double swoop for Real Madrid academy stars Gonzalo Garcia, Cesar Palacios

Fulham have reached an agreement with Real Madrid for the permanent transfer of academy graduates Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios in a deal worth a combined £42.3 million (€50 million).

According to Sky Sports, the Premier League club will pay approximately £34 million for Garcia, while highly rated midfielder Palacios will join for around £8.5 million, completing a significant double acquisition from the Spanish giants.

Garcia, 22, has emerged as one of Real Madrid’s brightest attacking prospects after finishing as the top scorer at last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup. The striker’s impressive performances attracted interest from several clubs before Fulham secured an agreement for his signature.

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Palacios, 18, is regarded as one of the most promising young midfielders to emerge from Real Madrid’s academy in recent years. He made his senior debut for the club in January and is expected to bolster Fulham’s midfield options as he continues his development in the Premier League.

Both players progressed through Real Madrid’s renowned youth system before earning opportunities with the senior squad.

The transfers are understood to have been strongly influenced by Fulham’s new head coach, Alvaro Arbeloa, who previously worked with both players during his coaching spell at Real Madrid’s academy and first team.

Arbeloa’s familiarity with Garcia and Palacios is believed to have played a key role in convincing Fulham to pursue the double signing as the club continues to strengthen its squad ahead of the new season.

The deal represents another major investment by Fulham in young talent while providing Garcia and Palacios with the opportunity to secure regular first-team football in the English top flight.