Real Madrid midfielder Manuel Angel is currently in London for a medical examination as he prepares to finalize his transfer to Fulham. This move marks a significant step for the 22-year-old, who has been a prominent figure in Real Madrid's youth setup but has found it challenging to secure a spot in the first team.
Angel, who served as captain of Real Madrid's Castilla team last season, made a notable impact with 35 appearances across all competitions, contributing one goal. Despite his promising performances, the young midfielder has recognized that breaking into the senior squad at Real Madrid is unlikely at this stage of his career.
The transfer will see Angel reunite with Alvaro Arbeloa, the manager who gave him his first-team debut in January during a Copa del Rey match against Albacete. In total, Angel made seven appearances for the senior team last season, but with the arrival of new talent and the depth of the squad, he opted to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Joining Fulham will also reunite him with former teammates Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios, who both made the switch from Real Madrid to the Premier League club earlier this summer. This connection is expected to ease Angel's transition into English football, as he seeks to establish himself in a competitive environment.
Fulham's interest in Angel has been largely driven by Arbeloa, who has been instrumental in the club's pursuit of young talent from Real Madrid. Although several Spanish clubs, including Almeria and Cadiz, expressed interest in acquiring Angel, the opportunity to work under Arbeloa and play in the Premier League ultimately swayed his decision.
As the medical process unfolds, an official announcement regarding the transfer is anticipated soon. Real Madrid is likely to retain some control over Angel's future, possibly through a percentage of any future sale or a buyback clause, which is a common practice for the club when allowing young talents to leave.
In the meantime, Real Madrid has bolstered its youth ranks by signing Sergio Martinez from Racing Santander, who could potentially fill the void left by Angel in the Castilla squad. This reflects Real Madrid's ongoing commitment to developing young players, even as they allow some to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
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