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Newly appointed Fulham manager Álvaro Arbeloa is said to have his sights set on Real Madrid midfielder Thiago Pitarch as the next Castilla talent to make the move to Craven Cottage.
Arbeloa's initial transfer approach at his new club has taken him straight back to the Bernabéu. The Spanish manager is already anticipated to be reuniting with former players Gonzalo García and César Palacios in a combined deal worth $57.4 million (€50 million).
Potentially joining Gonzalo and Palacios is Pitarch. MARCA reports that preliminary discussions between Fulham and the player's representatives have already taken place, with the teenager said to be "thrilled" at the prospect of linking up with his former teammates and manager in the Premier League.
Pitarch, who became a consistent starter in the Real Madrid first team after Arbeloa replaced Xabi Alonso, is said to be "completely open" to swapping the Spanish capital for west London.
The Key Factor Complicating Pitarch's Potential Transfer
Unlike Fulham's pursuit of Gonzalo and Palacios, the move for Pitarch is not expected to progress swiftly due to concerns over the player's physical condition. The 18-year-old sustained a knee injury during training and is set to be sidelined for a minimum of six weeks.
The setback has prompted Fulham to proceed "with greater caution," particularly as the club has other midfield options in mind, among them Southampton's Shea Charles. The Englishman developed through Manchester City's youth system before going on to represent the Saints and Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship.
Despite Charles's limited Premier League exposure, he at least has an established track record in England, while Pitarch would likely require additional time to adapt to a new country and competition. The added complication of a significant injury is enough to make Fulham hesitate.
What works in Pitarch's favor is his strong relationship with Arbeloa. The Spanish manager came to rely on the teenager in high-stakes situations for Real Madrid last season, fielding him against Manchester City and Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Pitarch kept the likes of Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos on the bench and wrapped up 2025–26 with 16 appearances and two assists.
He then went on to play a key role in helping Spain's U-19 side claim the European Championship title this summer, earning a place in the official Team of the Tournament.
Losing Pitarch Could Leave Real Madrid Reeling
Real Madrid have already profited from selling several Castilla graduates this summer, including Gonzalo, Palacios, Nico Paz and Víctor Muñoz. Adding Pitarch to that growing list would come as little surprise, given that the player is not expected to feature prominently under new head coach José Mourinho.
However, should Pitarch's transfer to Fulham go through, Los Blancos would be left with even thinner midfield cover than they currently possess. Only Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and new arrival Bernard Silva would be on hand, with Arda Güler and Jude Bellingham expected to operate in more advanced positions.
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The shortage of midfield options in Mourinho's squad makes the pursuit of Rodri all the more urgent. The Manchester City midfielder, who underwent back surgery following his Golden Ball-winning contribution to Spain's World Cup victory, is strongly linked with a switch to the Bernabéu.
Real Madrid would have little concern about Pitarch's departure if they manage to land Rodri. However, should the club end up losing both, it could shape up to be another difficult season with insufficient quality in the middle of the park.