Spanish youth national team striker Gonzalo Garcia showed a golden touch in front of goal for Real Madrid in his rare opportunities last season, scoring six goals in fewer than 1,000 minutes and converting his shooting chances significantly more frequently than starter Kylian Mbappe.
Garcia got his first shot from the Castilla quarter in the Club World Cup under Xabi Alonso, and despite all the competition for playing time in the attack, the Spaniard was the only true No. 9 in the squad and was raised in importance after Endrick's loan to Lyon. And when Alvaro Arbeloa came in, he still valued Garcia as an option.
In fact, Arbeloa values Garcia so much he is trying to take advantage of the fact that Real Madrid cannot guarantee the striker regular minutes. He and Fulham are interested in signing Garcia this summer, as the talented young striker and future Spanish national team star is among a few players the Cottagers are after.
Gonzalo Garcia could still stay in Madrid
But according to information from Fabrizio Romano despite the rumors swirling about Fulham's chances of signing away Gonzalo Garcia, Jose Mourinho is telling his former right back to back off...for now. Per Romano, Mourinho is maintaining the same opinion of Garcia. Real Madrid have not given the seven to eight clubs, including Fulham, interested in signing Garcia a green light to acquire him on loan or in any other arrangement. Real Madrid want to keep Garcia through the preseason and let Mou evaluate him personally before deciding.
Mourinho's decision will likely account for a few factors, mostly how ready Garcia is to actually get playing time, which will already be hard to come by with Kylian Mbappe up top. And though some Madridistas were discussing the unlikely possibility of Garcia starting over Mbappe if the latter is destabilizing the team, that no longer seems to be a topic of discussion after the World Cup.
Garcia is not yet one of the best strikers in Europe, but he can become one. But Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid will know full well out of everyone that Garcia needs to play to get better, and even if they have to sell to Fulham with a buy back system as with Nico Paz, that might be what is best for his development. However, after going two seasons without a trophy, Real need to win now, and if Mou believes in Garcia and needs him as a No. 2, he will stay.
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