Wolves Join €20m Pursuit of Real Madrid’s Club World Cup Breakout Star
Madrid, Spain – Wolverhampton Wanderers have stepped into an intensifying Premier League race to sign Real Madrid’s rising talent Gonzalo García, the 21-year-old striker who stole the spotlight at the FIFA Club World Cup with a tournament-leading four goals in Spain’s title-winning run.
Per reports from Spanish outlet Fichajes, Wolves have now entered the frame alongside Sunderland and Aston Villa, with all three clubs making early enquiries about a possible January transfer. Each is believed to be preparing offers in the region of €20 million (£17.6 million) for the homegrown forward, who recently signed a long-term deal through 2030 and was officially promoted to Madrid’s first team in August.
García’s rapid ascent has been remarkable. A product of La Fábrica, he shone throughout the expanded Club World Cup in the United States, scoring twice against both Al-Hilal and Red Bull Salzburg before netting the decisive goal in the final against Juventus. His sharp finishing, relentless work rate, and smooth adaptation to Carlo Ancelotti’s high-tempo front line have drawn early comparisons to a young Karim Benzema, cementing him as one of the competition’s standout performers.
For Wolves—mid-table after a tough opening to the 2025–26 season—García represents a valuable addition to bolster their attacking options. Manager Gary O’Neil, eager to push the club toward European contention, has consistently emphasised the importance of balancing youth with Premier League experience, and the Madrid striker fits that vision. “He’s got that raw hunger we saw in players like Pedro Neto early on,” a club source told the Sunderland Echo. “At €20m, he’s a bargain if Madrid are willing to negotiate given their packed squad.”
Real Madrid, fresh off a Club World Cup triumph that earned them over €100 million in prize money, face a familiar dilemma: managing financial regulations while maintaining depth. With stars such as Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Endrick commanding the forward positions, García’s chances of regular first-team minutes are uncertain. President Florentino Pérez has often taken a pragmatic approach with academy talents, and reports suggest the club may consider a sale to finance upcoming defensive reinforcements ahead of the 2026 World Cup cycle.
Sunderland, encouraged by last season’s surprising promotion charge, view García as an ideal fit for Régis Le Bris’ counter-attacking system. Aston Villa’s involvement signals Unai Emery’s continued push toward the Champions League places. Yet Wolves—backed by a strong Iberian scouting network and a track record of identifying La Liga prospects such as Rúben Neves—may hold a slight advantage.
With the January window approaching, attention now turns to the Bernabéu. For García, weighing loyalty to his boyhood club against the opportunity for consistent Premier League minutes, the coming weeks could shape the next chapter of his career. What’s clear: the €20m chase is only just beginning.