La Liga champions Real Madrid have reportedly advanced their move for 16-year-old Argentine wonderkid Franco Mastantuono.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Carussel Deportivo, Franco Mastantuono is the subject of interest from Real Madrid. And the Merengues have advanced their move to sign the 16-year-old wonderkid from River Plate, beating competition from several other European bigwigs. The teenager will arrive in Europe in August 2025 after turning 18.
The rapid rise of Franco Mastantuono
Franco Mastantuono is one of several Argentine prodigies that promise a bright future for the nation on the international stage. A native of Azul, he spent most of his formative years in his hometown with River de Azul before spending a short stint with Club Cemento. However, he has graduated from the fabled youth division at River Plate.
The 16-year-old has been with River Plate since 2019 and rapidly progressed through the ranks before making his first-team debut at the onset of the 2024 season. Mastantuono became River Plate’s third-youngest-ever player in January and has already turned out 18 times thus far for the senior side, chipping in with two goals and one assist.
Meanwhile, Franco Mastantuono’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe. Premier League bigwigs like Chelsea, Manchester United, and Manchester City have shown interest in the teenage wonderkid. However, his next destination will likely be Real Madrid.
Yet another highly-rated wonderkid to join Real Madrid?
Real Madrid’s interest in Franco Mastantuono is hardly surprising. Florentino Perez has overseen a youth-driven project during his latest stint as the club’s president. That has done wonders for Los Blancos, with the outlook helping them ensure a smooth transition from one generation to the next.
The Merengues have been extremely active in the South American market, with Federico Valverde, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo becoming the cornerstones of the latest generation of match-winners. In addition, Real Madrid will herald Endrick’s arrival in a few weeks. So, it is hardly surprising that Mastantuono is a top target, with Real Madrid advancing the move to sign him.
With Real Madrid ready to pull out all the stops to secure Franco Mastantuono’s services, his other suitors must look elsewhere for a young prospect. The 16-year-old Argentine wonderkid is also keen on joining the reigning La Liga champions, meaning an agreement is a matter of time.
