Fulham in talks to sign Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Garcia

Fulham are in talks to sign striker Gonzalo Garcia from Real Madrid.

The potential move would see the 22-year-old follow new Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, regarded as his football mentor and actively involved in discussions, from Madrid to west London.

Arbeloa was appointed by Fulham earlier this month after leaving Madrid, where he was replaced by Jose Mourinho.

Garcia, who has received attention from multiple clubs across Europe this year, would be Fulham’s first new arrival of the summer. Swedish forward Jonah Kusi-Asare joined on a permanent basis from Bayern Munich after spending the 2025-26 season on loan at Craven Cottage.

The Spaniard would strengthen Arbeloa’s attack after the club confirmed Raul Jimenez will leave on the expiration of his contract this summer, while Rodrigo Muniz missed 20 games with muscular issues including a hamstring injury that needed surgery.

Madrid are expected to retain some power or preferential right over his future as part of any potential deal.

Sources with knowledge of the situation indicated Madrid had decided months ago that Garcia would leave this summer — but the process was put on hold after Mourinho’s arrival as the new head coach wanted to see the striker in pre-season. The Portuguese liked the player but is not able to guarantee a prominent role in the team next season as it stands, leaving the choice on his future up to Garcia.

A product of Madrid’s academy, Garcia made his senior debut in November 2023 under Carlo Ancelotti and has appeared 51 times for the club, scoring 13 goals and providing seven assists. He enjoyed a first-team breakthrough in Madrid’s run to the semi-finals of the Club World Cup last summer, winning the Golden Boot with four goals, and was rewarded with a new contract until 2030.

Last season, Garcia scored eight goals in 39 appearances though made just nine starts in La Liga, with France captain Kylian Mbappe the first-choice striker.

Garcia has been capped once by Spain at senior level, coming on as a substitute in a friendly against Iraq in June, and was not selected by Luis de la Fuente for this summer’s World Cup.