Real Madrid ‘to block’ Sunderland over Pitarch and Munoz moves | OneFootball

According to TeamTalk, Real Madrid could move to block Sunderland’s attempts to sign Thiago Pitarch and Victor Munoz for Regis Le Bris’ squad this summer.

Sunderland are shaping their summer plans after securing Premier League safety with wins over Leeds United and Newcastle United. A push for a top seven finish remains, which would surely bring European football for only the second time and the first since 1973’s Cup Winners Cup.

Pitarch, an 18-year-old attacking midfielder who had been open to a move and featured on Sunderland’s shortlist, has since broken into Real’s senior set-up. He is now considered a key part of the club’s long-term plans.

Munoz, now at Osasuna, is complicated by a buy-back clause inserted when he left Madrid last summer. Real are tracking his progress after club form earned a first Spain call-up, and he scored on debut in a 3-0 friendly win against Serbia at the weekend.

Madrid are said to be ready to trigger that buy-back clause, which would return Munoz to the Bernabeu in the close-season. Despite that potential setback, Sunderland are understood to have strong ties with Real and are assessing other emerging talents, with their recruitment drive far from over.

Source: Sunderland Echo