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Thiago Pitarch to Fulham

This move fell through. Last report: Fabrizio Romano, 11 August 2026.

The move is off. Fulham are no longer expected to sign Thiago Pitarch, the 19-year-old Spain midfielder, after they went and signed Shea Charles instead. Real Madrid, for their part, are prepared to keep Thiago as part of Jose Mourinho's squad for the coming season. The fee under discussion had sat somewhere between €14m and €20m, roughly in line with his €20m market value, but with Fulham's midfield need already addressed, the case for the deal has fallen away. The reporting here comes from Fabrizio Romano, about as trusted a voice as this business has. When a benchmark reporter states plainly that a player is not expected to join and that his current club intend to retain him, that is not thin sourcing to be second-guessed. It is a firm read on where things stand. As things stand this is a long shot, and then some. For it to revive, Fulham would need a fresh reason to return for a midfielder they no longer require, and Real Madrid would have to change their stance on keeping the teenager. Neither looks close. The Charles signing is the wall this deal keeps running into. The money itself was never the problem. Fulham have paid this kind of fee before, from West Ham for €18m in 2022 down to Liverpool for €14m, so €14m to €20m for a 19-year-old fits their pattern comfortably. The obstacle is need, not price. Watch whether Fulham suffer a midfield injury or setback that reopens the search, and whether Real Madrid's plans for Thiago shift before his 2027 contract runs down.

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