Mourinho clears the way for Mbappé by sending García to Fulham

Real Madrid have confirmed that José Mourinho has forced Gonzalo García to leave, completing the French striker Kylian Mbappé’s path to sole dominance in the attack as the 22‑year‑old moves to Fulham. The transfer, announced after the Club World Cup 2025, ends a brief rivalry that saw García emerge as a promising number‑9.

At the conclusion of the Mondial des clubs 2025, Gonzalo García was hailed as Real Madrid’s offensive revelation and a direct competitor to Kylian Mbappé for the centre‑forward role, having scored four goals and sparking a genuine debate.

Selon AS, the 22‑year‑old Madrilène will join Fulham for €40 million for 70 % of his rights, with Real retaining the remaining 30 %.

José Mourinho admitted he did not count sufficiently on García and pushed him toward the exit, preferring to rely on the Frenchman.

García will reunite with Álvaro Arbeloa, his former Madrid coach who now manages the Cottagers at Fulham.

During the Mondial, García capitalised on Mbappé’s gastro‑enteritis‑induced absence to start, finish as top scorer and even prompt Joselu to claim Madrid had found its number 9.

Mourinho’s decision leaves Kylian Mbappé as the sole master of the attack, despite Real retaining Endrick and recently signing Carlos Espí, though none appear to challenge his status.

The move gives García the prospect of regular Premier League minutes while keeping a door open to a possible return to Madrid, and provides the Merengues with a sizable fee while retaining partial rights.

Mbapp now faces no direct rival in the squad after García’s departure.