Joins in August
©TM/IMAGO
Real Madrid have won the race to sign one of the most coveted youngsters in the world, Franco Mastantuono. Madrid have agreed a €45 million fee with River Plate and Mastantuono will join the Spanish giants in August. The 17-year-old will play at the upcoming Club World Cup for River Plate before departing his boyhood club as their record sale – Claudio Eceverri’s €18.5m move to Manchester City is their current most expensive departure.
After a disappointing season, Madrid have already been extremely active in the market by signing Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen. Xabi Alonso inherits the most valuable squad in the world after replacing Carlo Ancelotti in the Madrid hot seat. Mastantuono was scouted extensively by Europe’s leading clubs and PSG were determined to sign him but Madrid have won the race for the prodigiously talented winger.
Franco Mastantuono’s incredible development
Mastantuono’s 18th birthday doesn’t arrive until December but he’s already made 61 senior appearances for River Plate after becoming their third youngest player ever when debuting at 16 in January 2024. Despite his tender age, Mastantuono is entrusted with significant responsibility at the Argentinian giants and his highlight moment arrived in April with an outrageous free-kick against arch rivals Boca Juniors.
On Mastantuono, Scott Christensen, Transfermarkt’s South American Area Manager, said: “He started playing in the first division for a top club like River at just 16 years old. So there’s a big excitement because that’s not usual for us. He has a huge personality. In tough moments such as the Copa Libertadores games or the ‘Superclasico’ against Boca Juniors, the guy is trusted.”
Mastantouno’s preferred position is on the right-wing, where he can cut in on his devastating left-foot but he can also be deployed as an attacking midfielder. After his market value increased to €30m in the latest Transfermarkt update, Mastanouno is the second most valuable 17-year-old in the world, behind Lamine Yamal, and Christensen believes he possesses immense talent. “He’s a small offensive midfielder as many Argentinians are,” he added. “He’s very talented, he’s left-footed, and he’s very good at playing between the lines. He creates a lot of trouble because he’s small and hard to get. He’s very creative and has good shots and good passing skills.”
