Real Madrid have not completely closed the door on Gonzalo García and César Palacios after their moves to Fulham. The departures are confirmed, but The Athletic reports that Madrid have built several protections into the deals.
The key point is simple: Real Madrid reportedly have exclusive buy-back clauses for both players, although those clauses cannot be activated immediately. They become available from the second season onwards.
The Fulham departures are confirmed
Fulham and Real Madrid confirmed the departures of García and Palacios on 3 August 2026, according to the research brief. That means both players have left Madrid for Fulham.
What has not been publicly detailed in the brief is every part of the agreement between the clubs. There is no stated buy-back price, no confirmed contract length and no indication that Real Madrid currently plan to bring either player back.
So, this is not a story about an imminent return to Spain. It is about Madrid keeping options open after the transfers.
When can Real Madrid use the buy-back clauses?
Mario Cortegana reported for The Athletic on 4 August 2026 that Real Madrid’s buy-back clauses are exercisable from the second season onward.
In plain terms, Madrid cannot use the clauses during the players’ first season at Fulham. From the following season, they would have the contractual option to re-sign García or Palacios if they chose to do so.
The report describes the clauses as exclusive. That is an important detail: the option belongs to Real Madrid, rather than being a general mechanism that any club could use.
Madrid have kept more than one safeguard
The Athletic’s report says Real Madrid also retained a 30% future-sale share in both deals. If Fulham were to sell either player in a future transfer, Madrid would be entitled to 30% of that sale under the reported terms.
On top of that, Madrid reportedly hold a right of first refusal. This generally means Fulham would need to give Madrid the chance to respond before completing a sale to another club, subject to the exact wording of the agreement.
The brief does not provide the full legal details of how that right would work. It also does not say whether it would apply in every possible transfer situation. That distinction matters, because transfer clauses can contain specific conditions.
What this means right now
For now, García and Palacios are Fulham players following the confirmed departures. There is no confirmed move back to Real Madrid and no indication that a buy-back is being prepared.
The reported clauses instead give Madrid future leverage. A buy-back clause could allow the club to bring a player back later, while the sell-on share and first-refusal right would keep Madrid involved if Fulham consider another sale.
That sounds like a lot of control, but it does not guarantee a reunion. Real Madrid would still need to decide to activate a clause, while the relevant contractual conditions would need to be met.
What remains unknown
Neither club announcement cited in the brief sets out the financial figures attached to the buy-back clauses. The report also does not state the exact dates on which the clauses become active, beyond the second season onward.
There is also no confirmed information on which player, if either, Real Madrid might consider re-signing in future. Treat any claim that a return is already planned with caution.
The next verifiable development would be further detail from either club or a later decision by Real Madrid to use one of the reported options. Until then, the confirmed news is the double departure to Fulham; the possible return route only opens from season two onwards.