Real Madrid Arrives In Argentina To Sign Wonderkid, Reports OK Diario

A delegation from Spanish soccer giant Real Madrid is currently in Buenos Aires, Argentina with a view to landing one of the World Cup champion’s most highly-rated wonderkids according to Ok dailywhose director Eduardo Inda cited anonymous sources during an appearance on popular television program The beach bar.

After landing Endrick from across the border in Brazil last summer, Madrid has often been linked to River Plate’s Franco Mastantuono, who is also wanted by recently-crowned Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain.

Already signing Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold in less than a week after the end of a trophyless 2024/2025 season in terms of major silverware, Los Blancos are also looking to secure one of South American soccer’s most talked-up prodigies according to Inda.

“They tell me that emissaries from Real Madrid are in Buenos Aires to try to close the signing of Franco Mastantuono, from River Plate, this week. They will try to close it this week and take it to the Club World Cup,” Inda stated.

“PSG, [Manchester] City and Real Madrid want him. He has dual nationality, Argentine and Italian and does not occupy a non-EU position. Real Madrid’s intention is to close it this week and he costs about €45 or €50 million,” Inda added.

Unlike players such as Vinicius Jr.Rodrygo and Endrick, Madrid wouldn’t have to wait for Mastantuono to turn 18 in order for him to join Xabi Alonso’s squad because of the fact he holds an EU passport.

Madrid has been linked to the left-footed attacking midfielder for several years, and first began watching him more closely at the U-17 World Cup in Indonesia in late 2023 which was attended by Madrid scouts to also get a better look at others such as Claudio Echeverri.

As we know, Echeverri, known as ‘El Diabilito’ (’The Little Devil’) has since joined City and even debuted in the Premier League for the Mancunians’, who would love to reunited the former River teammates at the Etihad.

Furthermore, PSG, which will not rest on its laurels after thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 in the UCL decider and wants to make improvements to Luis Enrique’s high-flying side, wants the teenager to one day challenge the likes of Fabian Ruiz, Joao Neves and Vitinha for minutes.

Mastantuono would be a bet for the future for Real Madrid

Just like we’ve seen with Endrick, Mastantuono, if bought, would be a bet for the future for Real Madrid and graudally worked into the first team fold. Eventually, he’d challenge Arda Guler for minutes on the right hand side of midfield in Madrid’s current system, with the Turk taking Rodrygo’s spot towards the end of last season before Carlo Ancelotti departed for Brazil.