Fulham are nearing an agreement to sign Real Madrid midfielder Manuel Angel, with the two clubs close to finalising the terms of a deal, according to Diario AS.
Real Madrid are also set to retain a significant percentage of any future sale of the 22-year-old Spanish player. That arrangement would follow the same model used for Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios, who also moved to Fulham this summer.
The potential transfer would give Fulham another player with a direct connection to Real Madrid and would further underline the influence of their manager, Alvaro Arbeloa. Arbeloa has been in charge of the London club since July, having previously worked at Real Madrid.
Manuel Angel has spent most of his career with Real Madrid’s second team. He has made seven appearances in total for the club’s senior side, but has not established himself as a regular first-team player.
Despite his limited senior experience, the midfielder is regarded as a player with value in the transfer market. Transfermarkt estimate his current market value at €5m.
The clubs have not yet completed the deal, but Diario AS reports that negotiations have progressed to the point where almost all conditions have been agreed. Real Madrid’s inclusion of a sell-on percentage would allow the Spanish club to benefit financially if Manuel Angel is transferred again in the future.
His proposed move would follow the arrivals of Garcia and Palacios, who have also left Real Madrid for Fulham during the summer. The three transfers would strengthen the relationship between the clubs while giving Fulham access to players developed within the Spanish side’s system.
For Manuel Angel, the move would offer a chance to continue his career away from Real Madrid after spending the majority of his time with the club’s second team. His senior record currently stands at seven appearances for the Madrid first team.
The midfielder’s future is now expected to be decided once the remaining details of the agreement are settled. Fulham’s interest comes with Arbeloa, a former Real Madrid figure, leading the club since July and overseeing the latest move involving a player from his previous organisation.