The academy pays for Real Madrid’s rebuild

Real Madrid keeps rolling on, turning La Fábrica into an extraordinary revenue machine. The club had already broken its previous record a few weeks ago, when sales of academy players surpassed $118 million in the summer of 2017.

But yesterday it completed one sale, that of Gonzalo, and moved another, César Palacios, close to completion, both to Fulham. Together, the deals push revenue close to the $232 million mark, almost double the previous best figure, with more transfers still expected before the window closes.

Step by step, Gonzalo became the second major sale of the summer yesterday. As AS reported, Valdebebas was seeking around $70 million for the striker, and negotiations have revolved around that valuation.

He did not train yesterday in order not to jeopardise the move and is set to join Fulham. The transfer will be worth $46.5 million plus a further $2.3 million in add-ons, with Madrid selling 70% of his federative rights.

One thing both the player and the club were determined about was that the transfer would not completely sever their relationship. Gonzalo will leave, but the possibility of a future return remains part of the plan. Madrid sees the move as an excellent economic and developmental opportunity for his talent and intends to monitor his progress closely.

For that reason, the club will retain a preferential option. The remaining 30% stake could also generate additional income in the event of a future sale to a third club.

Palacios’ move is not as advanced as Gonzalo’s, but barring a major surprise he is also expected to join Fulham. All parties believe the deal will happen, although at a slower pace. His transfer would not reach Gonzalo’s level and is expected to fall in the $9.3-11.6 million range, depending on variables. Madrid would again retain a percentage of his rights and a preferential option.

Adding the expected income from Gonzalo to the other eight academy-related operations completed this summer, involving Nico Paz, Víctor Muñoz, Mario Gila, Álvaro Rodríguez, Álex Jiménez, Fran García, Mario Martín and the recent Valdepeñas deal, brings the total to $203.6 million. If Palacios is finalised, the figure could rise to roughly $215 million. And more business is still to come.

The next significant sale is expected to be Jacobo Ortega, another player set to move to a top European league despite not having made a first-team appearance. As AS reported, he is close to joining RC Strasbourg for $9.3 million in exchange for 50% of his rights. If that transfer is completed, the running total would climb to approximately $224.5 million.

Madrid are also negotiating the sale of Fran González, the club’s third goalkeeper and a Spain under-21 international, to Sevilla FC. Talks have slowed amid disagreements over the fee and sporting conditions, but the expectation remains that the transfer will eventually go through. That would bring in even more income, pushing the total to within touching distance of $232 million. And there is still a full month left in the transfer window.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.