With the World Cup having only recently concluded, Premier League clubs are already deep into their 2026/27 preseason programmes. The calendar is tight, the travel is heavy and the purpose is clear: get players ready, test combinations and give new faces a chance to make an early impression.

Arsenal, the reigning champions, are among the later starters. Their first friendly comes on Aug. 1 against Girona in Catalonia, before further meetings with Real Betis, Borussia Dortmund and Como. They will then face Manchester City in the Community Shield at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Aston Villa have already opened with a 5-0 win over Walsall and continue across Europe and Asia, while Bournemouth began with a 4-1 victory against St. Pauli. Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion both have short schedules remaining, with each taking on European opposition in mid-August.

Chelsea’s first run under new manager Xabi Alonso takes them to Australia for matches against Western Sydney Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur, before trips through Hong Kong, Jakarta and Malaysia. Their final friendly is against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge.

Elsewhere, Everton have mixed early results and face a demanding route through Scotland, Germany and home soil before meeting Lille. Fulham also have work to do after a behind-closed-doors defeat to Norwich City. Hull City, Ipswich Town and Coventry City all have their own preparations mapped out, while Crystal Palace have already played twice and continue with fixtures in Italy and Germany.

Liverpool’s schedule includes a United States tour against Sunderland, Wrexham and Leeds United, followed by Monaco and two games against Como on Aug. 16. Manchester City are taking a lighter approach, starting with Inter in Hong Kong before facing the K-League All-Stars, Atlético Madrid and Arsenal. Manchester United, meanwhile, have already lost to Wrexham and beaten Rosenborg 5-0, with Atlético Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Leeds United and Milan still to come.

Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur also remain busy, with each club using these final weeks to sharpen up before the league begins.

Fulham are reported to be in discussions over a move for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo García, with Álvaro Arbeloa pushing to bring his former player to west London.

The 22-year-old, who was developed under Arbeloa at Real Madrid Castilla before also working with him in the first team, is said to be considering the switch. According to The Athletic, Arbeloa is “actively” pursuing the forward, and talks between Gonzalo and Fulham are understood to be moving forward. The final call, however, rests with the player.

Real Madrid’s new boss José Mourinho “liked” what he saw from Gonzalo, but could not promise the striker a “prominent role” next season. That lack of certainty appears to have opened the door to a possible departure.

Gonzalo’s record this year has underlined why Fulham are interested. He scored 13 goals in 51 appearances for the first team, having first turned heads with a remarkable 2023-24 campaign for Castilla, where he struck a record 25 goals.

Arbeloa’s direct involvement suggests Gonzalo is a leading target rather than just one option among many. For Fulham, the move would offer another attacking addition after the departure of Raúl Jiménez.

There is also the possibility that Gonzalo is not the only player from Real Madrid on Fulham’s radar. Recent reports indicate Franco Mastantuono is being monitored as well. The Argentine arrived at Real Madrid last summer but has had limited impact, scoring three goals in 35 appearances.

A loan would be seen by many as the most useful next step for Mastantuono, rather than reduced minutes from the bench. A reunion with Arbeloa could help, particularly if Gonzalo is already in place as a familiar presence.

For Real Madrid, losing Gonzalo would not be a major setback. He is regarded as a natural No. 9, but he is now behind Mbappé and Endrick in the pecking order. Endrick is expected to wear the number nine shirt again next season after scoring eight goals and eight assists in 21 appearances for Lyon, form that earned him a place on Brazil’s 2026 World Cup roster.

Álvaro Arbeloa has begun his tenure as Fulham manager on a three-year contract at Craven Cottage and is already exploring ways to use his contacts at Real Madrid in the transfer market. Arbeloa arrived at Fulham as part of a three-way managerial exchange that saw José Mourinho move from Benfica to Real Madrid, Marco Silva leave Fulham for Benfica and Arbeloa depart Madrid for Fulham.

His spell at the Bernabéu ended with Real Madrid finishing the campaign trophyless and mired in scandal, but the new Fulham manager arrives with strong references. The BBC reports Arbeloa’s candidacy for the Fulham job was supported by excellent references from Real Madrid president Pérez as well as Mourinho.

In his official announcement Arbeloa said: “It is a real honour for me to be embarking on this new stage at Fulham FC, the oldest club in London,” he said in his official announcement statement. “I feel a great sense of responsibility and I’m deeply grateful to [chairman] Mr [Shahid] Khan and [vice-chairman] Tony Khan for the trust they have placed in me with Fulham in the Premier League. ”

The BBC adds that Arbeloa is interested in three Madrid players: Franco Mastantuono, Fran García and Gonzalo García. All three are currently bit-part figures at Real Madrid and could be made available either on loan or in a permanent deal this summer.

Mastantuono, an 18-year-old attacking midfielder from Argentina, arrived in the Spanish capital for €45million ($50 million) last summer but scored just once in La Liga during his debut season. Arbeloa was full of praise for Mastantuono, highlighting the “extraordinary future” he has ahead of him “because of his talent, his commitment and his mentality.”

Left back Fran García has previously been linked with a move to Bournemouth and looks likely to be surplus to requirements following the arrival of Marc Cucurella. Gonzalo García, a 22-year-old striker, was prolific for Real Madrid’s B team but has found opportunities in the senior side limited due to the presence of Kylian Mbappé.

Real Madrid have repeatedly structured deals to retain future value from players deemed surplus, using sell-on clauses and buyback arrangements, with recent examples including Nico Paz and Jacobo Ramón at Como.