Real Madrid have taken the lead in the race to sign 17-year-old Argentine sensation Franco Mastantuono, blocking what looked like a nearly done move to PSG.
The River Plate starlet seemed PSG-bound earlier this week, with the French club making clear progress in talks with River Plate and reportedly ready to trigger the teenager’s €45 million [$51m] release clause. However, Real Madrid have acted quickly to turn the situation around.
According to Matteo Moretto, Mastantuono has now put PSG on hold and is waiting to hear from Madrid.
Fabrizio Romano further confirmed, “Real Madrid have made an approach with both Franco Mastantuono’s camp and also River Plate."
"Mastantuono’s dream since he was a kid is joining Real Madrid; now it’s time for the negotiations. Real Madrid and PSG are in a battle to get the deal done."
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Madrid sent chief scout Juni Calafat, known for sealing deals for Vinícius Jr. and Rodrygo, to Argentina earlier this week to convince Mastantuono and River Plate to make the switch happen, and the negotiations are now underway between Madrid, River Plate, and the player’s camp.
Mastantuono’s breakout and River Plate’s record sale in the making
Mastantuono made his senior debut at just 16 and has since scored 10 goals in 61 appearances, and in 2025 alone, he has started 19 games, scoring 7 times and assisting 4 more.
River board member Stefano Di Carlo previously said in April that it is a certainty Franco will stay until the end of 2025, according to the Athletic. However, pressure from Madrid is forcing River to reconsider.
If completed, the transfer would break River’s record sale, surpassing Enzo Fernández’s €44 million [$50m] move to Benfica in 2022 (Transfermarkt).
Madrid are now pushing to close the deal this week, and with the player stalling PSG, they may already have one foot in the door.
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