The departure that Mourinho has halted at Real Madrid

Thiago Pitarch, a 19-year-old midfielder, will continue as a player of Real Madrid after José Mourinho put a stop to his potential move to Fulham. The academy player, currently sidelined with a left knee injury, will remain with Castilla but will train with the first team and could rejoin the group by the end of August.

Pitarch's future had been uncertain in recent weeks. Fulham had shown interest in signing him, and the English option was gaining strength, but the Portuguese coach assured the player that he is part of his plans for the 2026-27 season.

Thiago Pitarch to Remain Under José Mourinho

José Mourinho's decision altered the situation Pitarch was facing at the beginning of the transfer window. As reported by journalist Alberto Pereiro, the coach intervened to prevent the midfielder from leaving the club and asked him to stay in Madrid.

Due to the first team's squad number allocation, Pitarch will be registered with the reserve team but will regularly train with Mourinho. The midfielder already gained experience with the senior team last season, featuring in 16 official matches before the campaign ended.

His progress continued with Spain, winning the U-19 European Championship this summer and finishing as one of the main assist providers for the national team before returning to training at Valdebebas.

His return was cut short by an injury sustained during his first pre-season training session. Tests revealed a sprain in the left medial collateral ligament of the knee, with an initial recovery time set between six and eight weeks.

Fulham Misses Another Real Madrid Prospect

Fulham had targeted Pitarch as another prospect from the Madrid academy. The English side has already signed Gonzalo García and César Palacios this window, players who previously worked with Álvaro Arbeloa in Real Madrid's youth teams.

The opportunity to reunite with Arbeloa initially made Fulham an attractive option for the player. However, the scenario changed when Mourinho decided to secure him a place in the team for the new season.

The Portuguese coach plans to employ a 4-2-3-1 formation, with players like Aurélien Tchouaméni, Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Bernardo Silva, and Arda Güler in the midfield. Pitarch will have to compete for playtime within that group once he is medically cleared.

The backing of the academy player also allows Real Madrid to provide an internal option in a position that has been linked to potential signings during the summer. Mourinho appreciates his ability to play at different midfield roles and his adaptability to collective work.

The next step for Thiago Pitarch is to complete his knee recovery and gradually rejoin training. The timeline suggested by Alberto Pereiro points to late August as a possible return date to the group, allowing José Mourinho to start giving him minutes on the field and solidify his decision that shut the door on Fulham.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La salida que Mourinho ha frenado en el Real Madrid