Real Madrid Choose To Keep Their Talent
Thiago Pitarch isn’t heading to Fulham after all. Jose Mourinho has decided to keep the 19-year-old midfielder within Real Madrid’s first-team squad, closing the door on a move that once looked increasingly likely. Fulham, meanwhile, have turned their attention toward Southampton’s Shea Charles instead.
The situation shifted dramatically once Alvaro Arbeloa left Real Madrid. Under Arbeloa, Pitarch had flourished, making 16 senior appearances last season and playing more minutes than both Dani Ceballos and Eduardo Camavinga. Naturally, Fulham hoped to reunite him with his old mentor at Craven Cottage, having already signed Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios from the Spanish giants this summer.
However, Mourinho saw things differently. According to Diario AS, the Portuguese coach personally requested Pitarch remain part of his plans, convinced he can compete for regular minutes once fully recovered from a knee injury. That decision, sources suggest, definitively ends Fulham’s interest, despite their offer reportedly being both financially attractive and sporting appealing.
Interestingly, Pitarch’s own priorities aligned with Mourinho’s thinking. Even amid strong interest from England, staying and fighting for a place at the Bernabeu remained his preferred path throughout. That mutual alignment made Real Madrid’s final call considerably easier to deliver.
Mourinho’s midfield picture has also shifted following failed efforts to sign a marquee World Cup performer this summer. With Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni and Camavinga already established, Pitarch now represents a genuine fourth option in that engine room.
Fulham Turn Attention To Charles
For Fulham, the focus now shifts entirely toward securing Shea Charles from Southampton. Reports suggest Saints want close to €30 million for the Northern Ireland international, whose Championship experience offers a smoother transition than Pitarch’s uncertain fitness situation would have provided.
Real Madrid’s summer overhaul continues regardless. The club has already added Ibrahima Konate, Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva and Denzel Dumfries, reshaping the squad considerably under Mourinho’s direction.
For Pitarch personally, staying represents a genuine vote of confidence, according to Yahoo Sports, even if regular starts remain far from guaranteed this season.
Readers following Real Madrid’s evolving squad and Fulham’s midfield search can find continued coverage on KCPredict as the transfer window nears its close.