Real Madrid Unveils Shocking Transfer Strategy to Land Star Target
Real Madrid's coaching staff are not viewing 17-year-old Franco Mastantuono as a long-term project and are reportedly ready to give him a significant first-team role in the upcoming season.
Madrid announced in June that they had secured Mastantuono's signature from River Plate, investing heavily to acquire the attacking midfielder before he turns 18 on August 14, when his Los Blancos contract officially begins.
Mastantuono will join the Santiago Bernabéu having played only 65 senior matches, but despite his young age, AS reports that Madrid's staff already consider the teenager a potential starter for Xabi Alonso's team next season.
While players of Mastantuono's age and limited experience typically receive extended time on the bench to adapt to new environments—Endrick managed just three La Liga starts following his summer arrival—no such gradual integration is planned for Mastantuono, who is set to be immediately integrated into the squad and expected to adapt under pressure.
One possible obstacle to this strategy is that Mastantuono will have only four training sessions with his new colleagues before Madrid's La Liga season opener against Osasuna on August 19. Mastantuono is therefore likely to begin his first few weeks coming off the bench, while still receiving substantial playing time to fast-track his adaptation.
Mastantuono has been identified as the direct replacement for Jude Bellingham, who will be unavailable until November following shoulder surgery. Upon Bellingham's return, the Argentine is anticipated to assume the squad position currently held by Rodrygo, who has been strongly linked with a departure.
Sources suggest this bold strategy for Mastantuono has received widespread approval from Madrid's hierarchy, who believe they have acquired a superstar for both the immediate future and the present moment.
Mastantuono is scheduled to arrive in Madrid next week to begin adjusting to life in a new city on a different continent, but cannot officially join the squad until reaching 18 years of age.
His media presentation date remains unconfirmed, but is anticipated to occur either on his birthday or the following day, August 15.