Franco Mastantuono has become a target for Europe’s biggest clubs. At just 17 years of age, he has burst onto the scene at River Plate and established himself in the team’s midfield with a confidence not seen in a soccer player for years, which has earned him his first call-up to the Argentine national team. One of the clubs that has been following him closely for months is Real Madrid, although his high price tag could prove to be a major obstacle to his signing.
Real Madrid sets its sights on Mastantuono
Real Madrid’s interest in Mastantuono is nothing new. They have had him on their radar since the start of the season, and reports from the club’s sporting director already hinted at what was to come, although few expected it to happen so soon. The truth is that Mastantuono has taken over the midfield at River Plate, contributing defense, attack, sacrifice, and team play. All this is accompanied by a shot that is within the reach of the chosen players.
Real Madrid would welcome the opportunity to sign the player and finish his development at the club, but his emergence has attracted the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs, who are willing to pay whatever it takes to secure his services.
Competition at Real Madrid
One of the aspects that most concerns the club’s management is his age: the change from Argentine soccer to European soccer at such a young age, and at a club with so much responsibility, could take its toll on the young player. But there is another aspect that could slow down the Whites: competition.
Franco Mastantuono plays in midfield, but he tends to start more on the right wing. In this regard, Real Madrid has several players with the same profile in its squad. One of them is Arda Güler, who seems to be able to contribute to the team from more withdrawn positions than playing in the center or as a right winger, as he had been doing until the last few months of the competition.
The more than likely return of Nico Paz would also affect Mastantuono. The Argentine youth player, who has shone at Como, although he also plays in slightly more advanced positions, can also start as a central midfielder, and also slightly to the right of the wing.
A third player who could come into conflict is Brahim. It is true that the latter has a more attacking profile and can play in different positions in the team, but he is also a player who is used to starting on the right wing and looking for more central positions on the pitch.
Mastantuono and the big European clubs
One of the clubs that seems willing to sign Mastantuono at any price is PSG. The current Champions League champions could have taken the lead in negotiations to sign him, but the player has doubts about playing in Paris. He is more attracted to the Premier League or LaLiga, as playing in the French league does not appeal to him greatly. This is one of the cards Real Madrid is playing, the player’s possible desire, but they know that this can only give them a slight advantage if they try to sign him, and he will still come at an exorbitant price.
The truth is that Franco Mastantuono seems destined to be one of the great midfielders on the world stage, a leader on the pitch with a long football career ahead of him.