Fulham came significantly closer to signing Real Madrid midfielder Thiago Pitarch during the summer transfer window than previously thought, with José Mourinho personally stepping in to prevent the move.
The 19-year-old was wanted at Craven Cottage by Álvaro Arbeloa, who knew the youngster well from Real Madrid’s academy before taking charge at Fulham.
Reports during the summer had already linked Pitarch with the Premier League club, but new information from Spain suggests negotiations had progressed considerably further.
Mourinho personally stopped Fulham move
According to AS, Pitarch’s transfer to Fulham was “well on track” when Mourinho intervened.
The Real Madrid manager had received impressive reports about the midfielder following his return to the Bernabéu and specifically requested that the club keep him.
That ended Fulham’s hopes of completing a deal.
It represents a frustrating outcome for Arbeloa, who had identified Pitarch as a player he wanted to bring with him to England.
However, Mourinho initially had little opportunity to assess the youngster himself.
Pitarch suffered a knee ligament sprain during his first pre-season training session and subsequently endured a difficult period after returning to fitness.
Pitarch struggled for opportunities
The teenager was included in Real Madrid’s squads against Inter Milan, Rayo Vallecano, Elche and Atlético Madrid but failed to make an appearance.
AS claims Pitarch went 73 days without competitive football after being declared fit.
The international break finally provided him with an opportunity.
With Real Madrid facing three weeks without a match, Mourinho agreed for Pitarch to temporarily return to Castilla and build up competitive minutes.
The midfielder responded impressively.
He provided an assist against Sant Andreu, completed 90 minutes against Alcorcón and then scored for Spain Under-20s in a 2-0 victory over Mexico.
Mourinho now convinced by Real Madrid talent
Pitarch followed that with another impressive performance against Atlético Madrileño, this time with Mourinho watching from the stands.
Castilla coach Julián López de Lerma praised both his quality and work rate.
“He’s shown the player he is,” López de Lerma said.
“The lad put in an enormous shift and dominated so many areas of the game. Just watching the physical effort he puts in is a spectacle.”
The youngster is now expected to return to Mourinho’s senior squad following the international break.
For Fulham, that could make another attempt considerably more difficult. Mourinho stopped the transfer because he believed Pitarch had first-team potential, and the midfielder is now beginning to justify that decision.
Key Points
- Fulham were reportedly well advanced in negotiations to sign Thiago Pitarch during the summer.
- Álvaro Arbeloa wanted to reunite with the 19-year-old after leaving Real Madrid for Fulham.
- José Mourinho personally requested that Real Madrid block Pitarch’s departure.
- A knee ligament injury initially prevented Pitarch from challenging for first-team minutes.
- His recent performances for Castilla and Spain U20s have strengthened his position in Mourinho’s plans.
What’s Next?
Pitarch is expected to return to Real Madrid’s senior squad after the international break, where he will attempt to earn his first competitive minutes under Mourinho.
Fulham’s summer interest shows Arbeloa was prepared to give the midfielder an opportunity in the Premier League, but another move may now be significantly harder to complete.
If Pitarch establishes himself in Mourinho’s rotation, Real Madrid’s decision to block his Fulham transfer could quickly prove justified.
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