Analytics & Stats
Real Madrid weigh up their decision after Fulham move for Gonzalo García and César Palacios
Real Madrid’s Fulham deal for Gonzalo García and César Palacios may solve one problem but create another.
Real Madrid have reportedly sanctioned the sale of back-up striker Gonzalo García and Castilla talent César Palacios to Fulham in a combined deal worth $57.4 million (€50 million).
According to The Athletic, Gonzalo is valued at $46.1 million (€40 million), while Palacios accounts for $11.5 million (€10 million). Both agreements also contain a 30% sell-on clause.
The pair are said to be “keen” on linking up with their former manager in the Premier League, and they would arrive as Fulham’s first two additions of the summer. Swedish forward Jonah Kusi-Asare has also made a permanent move after his loan spell from Bayern Munich last season.
Interest in Gonzalo had been building across Europe since his breakthrough at the Club World Cup last summer, but Real Madrid were reluctant to let go of the No. 9, a player who drew comparisons with club legend Raúl.
Even so, his role became increasingly limited. Alonso and Arbeloa both restricted his minutes last season, and he started only nine La Liga matches. When Kylian Mbappé was injured later in 2025-26, Gonzalo was not even the first choice to step in, with Brahim Díaz instead used up top alongside Vinícius Júnior.
Despite the reduced opportunities, the Castilla product still finished with eight goals, including six in La Liga. His movement, finishing and work rate stood out whenever he featured, though those chances were rare, especially without Endrick involved.
Endrick is now back at the Bernabéu and wearing the No. 9 after a productive loan at Lyon. He registered eight goals and eight assists in 21 appearances for the French side and is expected to provide cover for Mbappé next season under José Mourinho.
From Real Madrid’s perspective, moving on from Gonzalo while Fulham were prepared to pay $46.1 million is understandable, particularly with reports of Yan Diomande potentially arriving for a club-record $153.8 million (€135 million).
Still, the long view may look different. Real Madrid’s attack often lacked a natural centre-forward last season, and in 2026 they scored more than twice in only eight of 31 matches. The side missed a striker capable of attacking crosses and making decisive box runs, leaving the frontline heavily tilted toward Vinícius Jr on the left and Mbappé in central spaces.
Analytics & Stats
The 10 Most Valuable Squads in World Football After the 2026 Summer Window
Squad values after the 2026 summer window show Real Madrid top, with City, PSG and Arsenal close behind.
The summer transfer window has closed, and the latest squad valuations offer a clear picture of which clubs have built the most expensive collections of talent in world football.
Using Transfermarkt’s figures, the 10 most valuable squads now reflect a market shaped by major spending across Europe, with the Premier League again heavily represented among the elite.
Real Madrid sit top of the list with a squad valued at $1.7 billion. A huge share of that figure comes from Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham, whose combined value is put at $581 million. Their summer business, including Yan Diomande and Marc Cucurella, was followed by further strength added through Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries and Bernardo Silva.
Manchester City are close behind on $1.66 billion. Their total has risen after moves for Enzo Fernández, Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi, with the trio carrying a combined valuation of $337 million, less than what City paid to bring them in.
Paris Saint-Germain are third at $1.58 billion, with continental success continuing to lift the value of their squad. João Neves, Vitinha, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are each valued at $116 million or more.
Arsenal are fourth on $1.55 billion, ahead of Barcelona on $1.47 billion. Lamine Yamal stands out at Barcelona, where he is worth $255.6 million on his own, alongside Raphinha, Pedri and Pau Cubarsí.
Chelsea are sixth at $1.26 billion, with Bayern Munich seventh on $1.21 billion and Michael Olise valued at $197.5 million. Liverpool follow in eighth on $1.2 billion after the late addition of Bradley Barcola.
Manchester United are ninth at $1.08 billion after their midfield overhaul, while Tottenham Hotspur complete the top 10 on $941.6 million after a particularly active summer in the market.
Analytics & Stats
Opta’s post-window Premier League forecast points to Arsenal on top
Opta’s new forecast has Arsenal first, City second and Tottenham under pressure after the window closed.
The Premier League’s 2026 summer transfer window is shut, and after a record outlay across the division, Opta’s supercomputer has delivered its first full forecast for the season ahead.
Spending across the league reached about $4.4 billion (£3.3 billion), the highest figure on record. Among the headline moves were Morgan Rogers’s switch to Chelsea, Bradley Barcola’s move to Liverpool, and Manchester City’s signings of Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernández. Arsenal added Bruno Guimarães, while Manchester United rebuilt their midfield with Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. Tottenham also strengthened on Deadline Day by bringing in Chelsea pair Mykhailo Mudryk and Tosin Adarabioyo.
Based on current form and the completed window, Opta sees Arsenal as the clear favourite for the title. The Gunners, who have started with wins over Coventry City and Aston Villa and have kept two clean sheets, are projected to finish first with 76.17 points and a 47.40% chance of lifting the trophy again.
Manchester City are forecast to finish second for a second straight season, with 71.39 points and a 27.22% title chance. Chelsea are placed third on 60.41 points, while Liverpool are fourth on 59.76. Manchester United complete the top five on 57.32 points after an uneven start and a quiet end to the transfer window.
The model suggests the top five will also secure Champions League football. Chelsea’s projection is notable after their 10th-place finish in 2025-26, which left them outside European competition this season. Newcastle are next in line, just a point behind Manchester United in sixth, with Brighton and Brentford also in the mix but needing exceptional runs to break into the top five.
At the other end, Tottenham are projected to finish 14th despite adding to their squad, with a 23.83% relegation chance. Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Ipswich Town sit just above them, while Crystal Palace are highlighted as a side with real danger attached to them, carrying a 29.55% chance of ending up in the Championship.
Analytics & Stats
Opta’s early 2026/27 table sees Arsenal on top after opening weekend
Opta’s early table has Arsenal first, City second and United sliding after a shock opening defeat.
The first weekend of the 2026/27 Premier League season has already prompted the familiar rush to judge the race, and Arsenal’s opening win has placed them at the head of Opta’s latest projection.
Arsenal began the campaign as they ended the last one, with a comfortable victory, and the supercomputer now expects them to finish first on 74.80 points. That gives the Gunners a 45.18% chance of retaining the title, with Opta also suggesting they could become champions for the first time in 92 years. Manchester City are forecast to stay close but still finish second on 68.44 points, while Liverpool complete the top three on 61.42.
Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Fulham in Xabi Alonso’s first league match in charge has lifted them into fourth place in the model, on 58.48 points. Manchester United, after their shock defeat to Hull City, have slipped to fifth on 55.34 points. Brighton & Hove Albion are also sitting strongly in sixth, just behind United on 55.21.
Opta’s picture for Champions League qualification continues beyond that, with Newcastle, Aston Villa, Brentford and Everton occupying the next places in the top 10. The model gives five of the league’s ‘Big Six’ a place in the top five, reflecting the expectation that the battle for the 2027-28 Champions League spots will again be tight.
At the other end of the table, the supercomputer sees Tottenham Hotspur avoiding another collapse by finishing 12th, despite their opening-day loss to Brentford. Crystal Palace are projected 14th, while newly-promoted Ipswich Town are 15th and Nottingham Forest 16th. Coventry City, Hull City, Fulham and Sunderland are forecast to occupy the relegation places, with Hull’s opening win over Manchester United not enough to alter their long-term outlook.
It is, as ever, only one weekend in. But Opta’s early read is clear: Arsenal lead the way, City remain close, and the pack behind them is already beginning to take shape.
