Fulham Signings are "Real" Deal

[Bronaldinho]

Started to write again, we'll see how long this last - but sharing here as no longer on Social Media :)

Fulham signings are Real Deal

We're about to make it the third Madridsta of the summer as the club are close to announcing deals for Cesar Palacios and Gonzalo Garcia, after hiring Alvaro Arbeloa earlier in the summer.

From what we know:

Fee for Gonzalo Garcia – 40m Euros, 30% Sell-On Clause (Likely 5 year deal)
Fee for Cesar Palacios – 8m Euros, 30% Sell-On Clause (Likely 5 year deal)

Gonzalo Garcia

The second coming of Raul, the future of Real Madrid's front-line. Just a few comments over the the last 12 months about Garcia, and plenty of reasons to be optimistic.

A pressing machine, hard working forward that really excels in a high-pressing system.

Not the most imposing frame, but high work-rate and positioning helps Gonzalo fashion chances and bring others into play.

What will be interesting is how he adapts to life in the Premier League, and leading the line in matches where his team won't dominate possession.

He'll have to adapt quick, as I don't think it's foolish to say he will be arriving as our starting striker, and with the board putting a lot of faith behind Alvaro Arbeloa on this signing, he will need to deliver.

I have a feeling we'll get around 10-12 goals out of Garcia if he does adapt to life in the Premier League, and certainly will appeal to some fans as we start to see a different profile for the 9 shirt this season.

Personally, I'd like to see him play alongside Jonah Kusi-Asare in some cup fixtures, as both forwards offer different styles of play and both ambitious. Seeing how they could combine in some early cup games is exciting.

Cesar Palacios

The signing that some may forget about as Garcia comes through the door, but the cheaper of the two Castilla arrivals.


Cesar Palacios is one to keep an eye but probably won't be one for the starting eleven just yet.

Similar to Garcia in terms of work-rate, and pressing nature. Palacios brings a different profile to both the 8 and 10 roles in our squad. He'll certainly need to bulk up slightly as he enters the English game, but a player that has an excellent first touch and ability to take the ball under pressure.

I wouldn't be surprised if he is integrated out wide in sub appearances early on, just to allow him to adapt and have more time on the ball.

Did have an ACL injury a few years ago, so let's see how he adapts from that.

For those of you who love the technical side of the game, Palacios is a very tidy footballer.

Risk or Ambition?

Well, it's both.


There's a big risk over both of them.

50m euros is a lot to spend on two signing that don't have much senior game-time.

But these are two signings that show that the club are leaning on Alvaro's connectios and relationships.

Personally, a risky move for me – I'm very much on the side of have a transfer strategy that isn't dependent on a coach. But, at the same time, these levels of talents probably wouldn't have entertained a deal if we didn't have Arbeloa in charge.

Outside of the little senior football, we are asking both players to move from Castilla football in the 3rd tier of Spanish football to the Premier League.

It's a huge step up, and like our coach will need time to adapt – but it's a statement from the board that they will back the coach should they believe in him.

We're not finished yet, I'm still expecting another 4 players to come through the door after these two deals complete.

https://thecravencorner.wordpress.com/2026/07/30/fulham-signings-are-real-deal/

[perry geyton]

Good stuff, write more

[Bronaldinho]

Good stuff, write more

Thanks man, been a while. But appreciate the support and kind words.

Thank you 😎

[cwindsor]

Stick with it. It's well worth reading.

[HobGoblin]

Nice article, pretty short, but i'd expect that for a fresh signing without anything else to expand it

[SP]

Nice one, this post on TFI today sums it up nicely for me:


'Take a step back in time. Did you ever imagine that one day we'd be signing players from the likes of Real Madrid?????

I thought it was massive when we signed Peter Kitchen from Leyton Orient for £150,000!'

[AnotherOldgit]

I thought it was massive when we signed Peter Kitchen from Leyton Orient for £150,000!'

That one worked out well! Hopefully these will be better.

[Bronaldinho]

Thanks all - 10 years since the column, how times have changed since our 2015/2016 season!

Appreciate the support and kind words.

Thank you for taking the time