Fulham Transfer News: Whites boss Arbeloa targets reunion with Real Madrid trio

Álvaro Arbeloa swapped the Bernabéu for Craven Cottage this summer – and he is hoping to bring a sprinkling of Real Madrid stardust to SW6.

Fulham’s new boss racked up 237 appearances for Los Blancos as a player, before becoming an academy coach and later manager of their reserve side.

The former Spain international then stepped up to take charge of the first team in January this year, after Xabi Alonso was relieved of his duties.

Having worked at both youth and senior levels, Arbeloa certainly has in-depth knowledge of his previous club’s playing squad.

So it is perhaps unsurprising that he wants to exploit that information at Fulham, with the Cottagers reportedly targeting a trio of Madrid’s up-and-coming talents.

As the two-time Champions League winner sets about building a squad in his own image, here’s everything you need to know about the Real prospects who could be joining him in South West London…

Gonzalo García

Fulham need to add goalscorers to their squad ahead of next season, following the departures of Raúl Jiménez and Harry Wilson.

The duo were responsible for 19 of their team’s 47 top-flight goals last term – and just five other Premier League sides recorded lower tallies than the Cottagers.

Centre-forward is an area that requires particular attention, with only the out-of-form Rodrigo Muniz and youngster Jonah Kusi-Asare currently available as options.

But Fulham look set to strengthen in that department, by launching a reported £34 million bid for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo García.

That would represent a significant outlay for a relatively unproven attacker with only 51 first-team appearances under his belt, but reflects the 22-year-old’s burgeoning reputation.

He has already featured once for the Spanish national team, for example, after scoring six goals in 30 La Liga matches in 2025/26.

Though that figure may initially sound somewhat uninspiring, it averages out at an impressive 0.57 strikes per 90 from 952 minutes of league action.

His record of four goals in six 2025 Club World Cup matches also hints at an ability to regularly deliver in the final third, if afforded a consistent run of appearances.

García would certainly get that at Fulham, who would benefit from the 6ft forward’s physical presence and hold up play – in addition to his finishing ability.

Real’s No.16 marginally outperformed his 0.51 league xG per 90 last season, reflecting a player capable of converting opportunities that fall his way.

There is undoubtedly a degree of risk to signing García for such a large fee, but Arbeloa will at least have a comprehensive understanding of the attributes he will bring to his new-look side.

César Palacios

García may not be the only London-bound Real Madrid player, amid reports that midfielder César Palacios could be joining him at Craven Cottage.

The 21-year-old is clearly rated by Arbeloa, who handed him a senior debut immediately after taking charge of Los Merengues – and a further six La Liga and Champions League appearances in the final few months of last season.

That was just reward for an eye-catching campaign with Real’s B Team, which yielded 13 goals in 28 games.

Palacios’ ability to find the net is complemented by impressive dribbling and passing skills, as he looks to make an impact from offensive midfield areas.

And though the sample size is small, it is notable that he also made three interceptions and completed three regains in the defensive third in only 81 La Liga minutes during 2025/26.

Those numbers suggest a degree of defensive acumen, though the Spain Under-20 international clearly isn’t the finished product.

With rumours of a modest £7-8.5 million fee, it may be that Palacios is viewed as a talent to be refined until Arbeloa’s tutelage, rather than immediately featuring in Fulham’s starting XI.

Franco Mastantuono

Franco Mastantuono was deemed one of football’s hottest prospects when Real Madrid parted with £38.5 million to secure his services last summer.

The left-footed attacking midfielder joined from River Plate, having burst onto the scene at Estadio Mâs Monumental – becoming the club’s third-youngest ever player at 16 years, five months and 14 days.

He has continued in a similar vein, setting new records as the youngest player to debut for Argentina in a competitive match (17 years and 296 days) and Real’s youngest-ever Champions League starter (18 years and 33 days).

However, despite making 35 appearances for Madrid last term, there is simply too much competition for creative berths at the Bernabéu.

With regular football needed to continue his development, a loan move looks likely for 2026/27 – and Fulham are believed to have expressed their interest.

Though there are suggestions that Real would like the Buenos Aires native to experience continental football, Arbeloa’s presence at Craven Cottage could well prove to be decisive.

After all, club president Florentino Pérez trusted him to manage the first team last season, so it stands to reason that he will be viewed as a safe pair of hands to improve Mastantuono.

From Fulham’s perspective, they would receive a year of service from a potentially transformational creative player.

The four-cap international had the third-best passing accuracy of any attacking midfielder or winger in LaLiga during 2025/26 (90.04%), which is all the more impressive when you consider the ambitious nature of his distribution.

He attempted (0.69) and completed (0.35) a notably high number of passes into the final third per 90, while also trying to open up play with the ball at his feet – completing a commendable 2.17 take-ons per match.

There is plenty of room for improvement, too, not least Mastantuono’s disappointing goal tally of three strikes in all competitions and only one in La Liga.

However, some deficiencies are natural for any 18-year-old and a year of consistent first-team football could see him reach greater heights in his new surroundings.

Fulham supporters can harbour hopes of Madrid’s No.30 elevating their attacking output next season, if the talented youngster joins Arbeloa at Craven Cottage.