Fulham agree deal to sign Real Madrid player Manuel Angel, says Fabrizio Romano

Fulham have reached an agreement with Real Madrid to sign Manuel Angel, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The proposed deal is set to include several protections for Real Madrid, including a buy-back clause, a percentage of any future sale and the right to match offers made for the player.

Manuel Angel would become the third Real Madrid player to join Fulham during the current summer transfer window. Cesar Palacios and Gonzalo Garcia have already made the move from the Spanish club.

The transfer also continues a close connection between Fulham and Real Madrid’s academy. All three players signed by the English club came through the Madrid side’s youth system and have previously worked under Alvaro Arbeloa with Real Madrid’s reserve team.

Arbeloa is now in charge of Fulham, having been a Real Madrid coach during the previous season. His familiarity with the three players is therefore an important part of the recruitment link between the clubs.

Manuel Angel has already made two appearances for Real Madrid’s first team. Both came last season, when he was also coached by Arbeloa.

Fulham have endured a difficult start to their league campaign, losing their opening two matches against Chelsea and Sunderland. They have, however, secured a victory in the League Cup.

The agreement for Manuel Angel gives Fulham another addition from Real Madrid as the club continue to build a squad featuring players developed at the Spanish side. The structure of the deal means Real Madrid will retain a degree of control over the player’s future, through the buy-back provision, the share of a potential subsequent transfer and the option to match competing offers.

Romano’s report identifies the agreement as the latest step in the relationship between the two clubs, with Manuel Angel following Palacios and Garcia from Real Madrid to Fulham.

The player’s previous first-team experience came under Arbeloa last season, when he featured twice for Real Madrid. He will now be expected to continue his development at Fulham, who have already used the summer window to bring in three players who came through the Madrid academy.

Fulham’s early results have included defeats by Chelsea and Sunderland in the league, alongside a win in the League Cup. The arrival of Manuel Angel would add to their group of former Real Madrid academy players while reuniting him with Arbeloa, who has previously overseen his progress at reserve-team level.