Real Madrid lead the race to sign 16-year-old attacking talent Franco Mastantuono, having pulled ahead of the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, and the Madrid hottest Barcelona.
Mastantuno's name has been mentioned frequently in recent months, and as his influence in the first team continues to grow under Martin Demichelis, so too has speculation over his future. Barcelona have first been linked with Mastantuno, and although the player is keen to play for the Catalan side, their inability to make a move in the transfer window due to their finances will rule them out of the race.
🚨 Sevilla and Real Betis are considering asking Barcelona to loan Vitor Roque. @abc_es
— Barca Center (@BarcaCenter) April 30, 2024
Catalan newspaper Sport says that although there has been no offer for Mastantuno, Real Madrid chief scout Jony Calafat and general manager Jose Angel Sanchez have contacted their counterparts at River Plate to discuss terms. Mastantuno recently signed a contract extension until the end of 2026, with a release clause of €45 million. In the last ten days of the transfer market, the amount rises to 50 million euros.
Only Los Blancos have opened contact with River, and on a recent trip to Buenos Aires, Calafat sat down with Mastantuno in person to open talks as well. Their plan is for the teenage gem to continue his development until he turns 18 at River, before moving to Madrid.
It is worth noting that Calafat and Sanchez have an outstanding record in recruiting youngsters in recent years, and once they set their sights on a target, they tend to get their man. Such was the case with Vinicius Junior, Rodrigo Goes, Reinier Jesus, Andric Filipe and Mastantuno well placed to be the next Latin American import to the Spanish capital.
