Real Madrid ready to step up interest in Franco Mastantuono

La Liga heavyweights Real Madrid are reportedly inching closer to signing Franco Mastantuono as they look to ramp up the efforts to sign him.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Franco Mastantuono is the subject of interest from Real Madrid. The Merengues are keen on beating the competition to the 16-year-old whizkid after losing the race to sign Claudio Echeverri to Manchester City. So, they will step up their interest in the teenage sensation.

Who is Franco Mastantuono?
Franco Mastantuono has become the latest star kid in Argentina after his exploits in age-group football in his homeland. The teenage sensation has made his mark with River Plate’s youth sides and is currently a member of the first-team squad despite his nascent years.

The 16-year-old made his first-team debut for River Plate in January 2024 and has already turned out ten times this term, scoring once in 361 minutes of game time. Meanwhile, the Argentine prodigy’s progress at the fabled club has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs.

Barcelona first joined the race to secure Mastantuono’s services before Premier League bigwigs like Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United arrived on the scene. The youngster is now a target for almost every top European club, with Real Madrid being one of the prospective suitors.

Real Madrid Calling?
Real Madrid’s interest in Franco Mastantuono is understandable. The Spanish giants constantly scour the market for the best prospects in Europe and South America. Such an outlook has helped Real Madrid ensure smooth transitions from one generation to the next. The latest project has seen the rise of Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde, and Eduardo Camavinga.

Mastantuono has now emerged as a viable target for Real Madrid. The Merengues are keen on beating the competition to the youngster’s signature after losing the race to sign Claudio Echeverri. The Argentine whizkid was a target for Real Madrid before Manchester City won the race to sign him.

So, it is hardly surprising that the Spanish heavyweights are eager to secure Mastantuono’s services. With the 16-year-old Argentine wonderkid having many high-profile suitors, Real Madrid will soon ramp up the efforts to land him in the summer transfer window.