Real Madrid is considering signing a promising 16-year-old talent from River Plate, an Argentine football club. This potential transfer is part of Real Madrid's strategic shift in its transfer policy under the leadership of president Florentino Perez. The club has recognized the challenges of competing with state-backed clubs like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain for established stars commanding high transfer fees.
Real Madrid has adopted a new approach of targeting young talents for reduced fees or on free transfers, as exemplified by previous successful signings such as Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., and Rodrygo. The club's interest in the 16-year-old Argentine player from River Plate aligns with this strategy.
The player in question, Franco Mastantuono, possesses Italian descent, making him eligible for a European passport. This eligibility could potentially expedite his transfer to Real Madrid, bypassing the usual waiting period until he turns 18. However, a significant hurdle in the potential transfer is Mastantuono's high release clause of $48 million, which was included in his contract extension with River Plate until 2026.
Real Madrid's recent successful acquisitions of young talents from Brazil have paved the way for the club to explore talent in Argentina. While the club is eager to secure Mastantuono's services, the financial aspect of meeting his release clause may pose a challenge, especially considering other potential transfers in the pipeline, including the arrival of Endrick from Palmeiras and rumored interests in players like Mbappe, Alphonso Davies, and Leny Yoro.
