Real Madrid have reached an agreement with Fulham for striker Gonzalo Garcia to join the Premier League club in a €70m deal, with the Spanish side retaining a buy-back option.
The 20-year-old forward, who came through Real Madrid’s famed “La Fabrica” youth system, is expected to move during the current summer transfer window, according to Spanish radio station Cadena COPE.
Garcia featured 39 times for the first team last season in all competitions, scoring eight goals. Six of those came in La Liga as he broke through under Carlo Ancelotti and established himself as part of the senior squad.
Real Madrid insert buy-back clause
As part of the agreement with Fulham, Real Madrid have secured the right to re-sign Garcia in the future. The specific terms of the buy-back clause have not been disclosed, but the inclusion of such a provision underlines how highly the Spanish champions still rate the forward.
The transfer represents the latest significant sale from Real Madrid’s academy, which the club has increasingly used as a source of both squad depth and revenue.
“La Fabrica” continues to deliver major fees
Garcia’s departure continues a lucrative trend for Real Madrid, who have generated substantial income in recent windows from players developed in their academy setup.
In addition to the €70m they are set to receive from Fulham for Garcia, Real Madrid have brought in sizeable sums from the sales of other homegrown players.
The club earned €60m from the departure of Nico Paz, €20m from Victor Munoz, €12.5m from Alvaro Rodriguez, €15m from Rafa Marin, €12.5m from Alex Jimenez and €3.5m from Mario Martin. They also received €4m from the sale of Fran Garcia.
Taken together, these deals underline the financial importance of La Fabrica, which has become one of the club’s most reliable revenue streams while also supplying players to the first team and to clubs across Europe.
Third reunion with Arbeloa
Garcia’s move to Fulham will see him work for a third time under new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
Arbeloa previously coached the striker with Real Madrid’s reserve team and later with the first team setup. The Premier League move will provide another chapter in their relationship, this time in English football.
Fulham, who play at Craven Cottage, are looking to strengthen their attacking options, and Garcia’s arrival would be one of the most expensive signings in the club’s history if the agreement is completed as reported.
Door opens for Endrick
The deal is also expected to have knock-on effects within the Real Madrid squad, particularly for Brazil’s young forward Endrick.
The highly rated attacker, who joined Real Madrid and was loaned to Lyon midway through last season, is hoping Garcia’s departure will improve his chances of earning a more prominent role at the Bernabeu.
Once the transfer to Fulham is finalised, Real Madrid will have both raised a significant fee and freed up competition for forward places, potentially boosting Endrick’s prospects of securing regular opportunities in the coming campaign.
