​New Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa is eager to bring several of his former Real Madrid teammates to Craven Cottage, aiming to recreate the strong bond and tactical familiarity that helped him succeed at the Bernabéu. Among the players linked with moves to Fulham are attacking midfielder Franco Mastantuono, left-back Fran García, and forward Gonzalo García. Mastantuono is open to a loan move, though he faces a crowded field, with interest reportedly coming from at least 12 clubs across Europe. Fran García, meanwhile, could be available for transfer as Real Madrid pursue a new left-back option after signing Marc Cucurella from Chelsea. As for Gonzalo García, Real Madrid are anticipated to include him on their pre-season tour, but there remains a possibility that he could become available later in the transfer window. All three players share strong personal and professional ties with Arbeloa, which could help facilitate negotiations and integration if they join Fulham.
Arbeloa, who has signed a three-year contract at Fulham, concluded the 2025-26 season with Real Madrid by guiding the team through the final 28 matches of the campaign. Under his leadership, Real finished second in La Liga and were eliminated in the Champions League at the quarter-final stage by Bayern Munich. His climb at Real Madrid began in coaching roles at youth level before he stepped in as interim boss after Xabi Alonso left in January. Arbeloa’s appointment at Fulham was reinforced by highly favorable references from Florentino Pérez, who was re-elected as Real Madrid president, and from Real Madrid’s new manager José Mourinho, a former teammate of Arbeloa at the Bernabéu.
The pursuit of the Fulham job has drawn interest from various corners of the football world. Former Tottenham and Brentford boss Thomas Frank was at one point linked with the role, while ex-Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna was considered but deemed too expensive once salaries and staff costs were factored in. As Arbeloa begins his tenure in west London, his key priorities at Fulham will focus on building a cohesive squad that can compete on multiple fronts, leveraging the chemistry he cultivated with his Real Madrid contacts, and integrating young talents with proven performers to create a balanced and dynamic team.
In terms of strategy, Arbeloa is expected to emphasize a blend of compact defensive structure and swift attacking transitions, a hallmark of his playing days that he believes can translate well to Fulham’s squad. His plan likely includes reinforcing the flanks, given the potential addition of Fran García at left-back, and broadening Fulham’s creative options in midfield and attack with the acquisition of a versatile attacking midfielder such as Mastantuono. With Gonzalo García’s potential availability later in the window, Arbeloa may also weigh up adding a forward with the ability to stretch defenses and contribute in high-pressing, fast-break scenarios.
Supporters and analysts alike will be watching how Arbeloa translates his Real Madrid experience into results at Fulham. The manager’s stories of long-standing relationships with his prospective targets, combined with the backing from Real Madrid’s leadership, suggest a thoughtful approach focused on long-term development and tactical alignment. As the transfer window progresses, Arbeloa’s ability to negotiate loans or permanent moves, assess each player’s fit within Fulham’s system, and integrate them quickly will be crucial to his early success at Craven Cottage. Fans are encouraged to share their opinions on Arbeloa’s priorities and the club’s direction as the new era in Fulham’s leadership begins.