Bombshell: Franco Mastantuono has reportedly reached an agreement with Real Madrid

Franco Mastantuono is getting closer to making the move to Europe and becoming a new player for Real Madrid, which would mark the club's first Argentine signing in over a decade. According to Fabrizio Romano, a journalist specializing in transfer markets, negotiations between the young River player and the Madrid institution have progressed positively.

"Juni Calafat returned to Spain after agreeing to personal terms with Franco Mastantuono," Romano stated, who also revealed that the agreement with the player will be long-term and that Madrid is working to finalize the transfer with River through an alternative formula to the release clause.

A key factor in the process was the involvement of Xabi Alonso, the newly appointed Real Madrid coach. According to the same journalist, the coach personally contacted Mastantuono. "Mastantuono loved the conversation with Xabi," Romano explained about the discussion that may have positively influenced the player's decision.

Mastantuono tuvo una buena charla con Xabi

The youngster's release clause is set at 45 million euros, although if Madrid were to pay it in full, the total amount would rise to around 60 million when including taxes and the percentage corresponding to his family.

When would he leave River?

Real Madrid's interest would be to complete the transfer outside the clause, which would indicate that the club would not add him immediately for the Club World Cup, which begins in a few days. That would allow negotiations to continue without haste.

Nonetheless, the process could be further delayed since Mastantuono is currently with the Argentina National Team for the FIFA international break, which complicates finalizing the details in the short term. However, it is not ruled out that the agreement could be finalized soon if everything aligns.

Meanwhile, River intends to keep the player at least until the end of the year or until the end of the Copa Libertadores. The goal is to reach an understanding similar to the one achieved with Manchester City in the transfers of Julián Álvarez and Claudio Echeverri. That will be one of the main points to be discussed between both institutions in upcoming meetings.