Sunderland ‘have bid’ £12.9m for Real Madrid’s Thiago Pitarch, but teenager hails Bernabeu life | OneFootball

Sunderland are being linked with Real Madrid teenager Thiago Pitarch, with reports of a £12.9 million offer. Fichajes claims Regis Le Bris’ side have tracked the midfielder, who has made six senior appearances this season, and view him as a long-term addition.

That outlet has previously carried fanciful Sunderland lines, including talk of moves for Endrick and Barcelona prospect Fermin Lopez, so these fresh links warrant caution.

Pitarch, 18, has recently underlined his contentment in Madrid. "Even in my wildest dreams, I never imagined this. Being around these players, the best in the world… You have to enjoy it and learn as much as you can. I think I’ve integrated really well into the team, especially with Federico Valverde and Brahim Diaz." He told AS.

On the Bernabeu roar, he added: "I heard the ovation just as I was heading to the bench and got goosebumps. It was incredible. I will give everything for this jersey and keep fighting for wins like yesterday."

He also praised Alvaro Arbeloa’s influence: "He’s very important to me. From the very first minute, he has given me complete confidence. I try to repay that in every way I can."

Taken together, his remarks and the source’s patchy record make this feel like a speculative link that may not materialise.

Source: Sunderland Echo