At a glance
- Athletic Club are among the clubs monitoring César Palacios, who has scored 13 goals and added four assists for Castilla this season.
- Real Madrid are expected to pursue their usual formula: renewal, controlled transfer, and retention of around 50% of future rights.
- Several clubs including Osasuna, Como, Getafe and Alavés have also been linked, though not all will accept Madrid’s preferred structure.
César Palacios is one of the most wanted names in this summer’s market
César Palacios has outgrown Castilla, and the market has noticed. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has registered 13 goals and four assists this season, making him one of La Fábrica’s standout names ahead of a decisive summer. Athletic Club are among the clubs tracking him most closely, with Osasuna, Como, Getafe and Alavés also in the picture according to reports from AS and Managing Madrid.
The interest isn’t new. Athletic had already followed Palacios before he left Numancia for Real Madrid, and reportedly returned for him in 2024. What makes him particularly attractive to the Bilbao club is his eligibility – he was registered in Pamplona, which places him within their recruitment policy.
Real Madrid’s plan for César Palacios follows a familiar formula
Real Madrid have no intention of losing control entirely. According to MARCA, the club’s preferred approach is to renew Palacios’ contract before agreeing a transfer that allows them to retain approximately 50% of his future rights – the same structure used with several recent academy exits.
It is a model that works for everyone in theory. The player gets senior football. The buying club gets a talented prospect. And Real Madrid keep a route back if he develops into something more. The difficulty is that not every interested club will accept those terms, which means the negotiation will be as much about control as it is about money.
Why this summer is critical for his development
Palacios has not had a straightforward path. A serious knee injury disrupted his momentum after a promising summer tour appearance with the first team. But he has since rebuilt himself into Castilla’s main attacking reference. He has also logged LaLiga minutes with the senior squad, meaning the club can no longer treat him purely as a prospect.
At 21, he needs competitive continuity at a higher level. His Castilla cycle is effectively over. What comes next will determine whether he becomes another smart La Fábrica exit, or a missed opportunity.
