This 'GREAT TALENT' has just saved Real Madrid €90m

Tom Weber
Tom Weber
  • Updated: 13 Aug 2025 16:04 BST
  • 4 min read
Kylian Mbappe, Thiago Pitarch, Real Madrid, 2025/26
© IMAGO

Real Madrid believe that they have unearthed their very own Vitinha in 18-year-old Thiago Pitarch, according to a report.

Article continues under the video

Los Blancos are planning for something of a midfield overhaul in 2026 and have earmarked PSG superstar Vitinha as a priority target. Recent reports in Spain have suggested that it could require up to €90 million to prise him away from the French capital.

That said, PSG are much better protected against Real Madrid's advances than they were during the Kylian Mbappe saga. Vitinha is under contract until 2029, so they will be under no pressure to sell.

Current ETV
Player image Vitinha
Vitinha

M, DM (C)

PSG logo

PSG

Vitinha
Vitinha

M, DM (C)

PSG

PSG

€80.9M

ETV Range

€72.9M - €89M

With a deal for the Portugal international looking difficult to realise, Real Madrid must put contingency plans in place and identify alternative targets. On the other hand, they could also turn to their brilliant academy.

Despite the fact that it is quite rare for homegrown youngsters at Real Madrid to break into their star-studded senior line-up, they actually boast one of the best youth academies in Europe, with La Fabrica products strewn all over the continent.

Real Madrid's very own Vitinha

According to ESPN, Real Madrid now believe that they have unearthed a wonderkid with very similar characteristics to Vitinha. The player in question is teenager Thiago Pitarch, who was recently afforded a chance to train with the first team.

New head coach Xabi Alonso has already shown that he is willing to put his faith in young players by promoting Gonzalo Garcia for the Club World Cup. This faith was repaid with the tournament's Golden Boot, which subsequently saw Garcia handed a bumper new contract.

Thiago Pitarch
© IMAGO - Thiago Pitarch

It is now being claimed that Alonso has been left hugely impressed by Pitarch's training performances. In fact, the 18-year-old is described as 'the winner of Real Madrid's pre-season.'

Alonso handed Pitarch a substitute appearance in Tuesday's friendly clash with Austrian side WSG Tirol, and the youngster is already in line for an improved contract despite only recently agreeing his first professional terms.

Pitarch could now be kept around the first team permanently as Alonso lacks a 'Vitinha-style' profile in his midfield. With Eduardo Camavinga currently injured, the 18-year-old is expected to be given more chances to impress.

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