### Real Madrid's Ambitious Pursuit of Franco Mastantuono: A Game-Changer in the Transfer Market Real Madrid is making headlines with their aggressive pursuit of 17-year-old Argentine midfielder Franco Mastantuono from River Plate. The Spanish giants are reportedly close to finalizing a deal worth €45 million ($50 million), which includes a release clause and additional taxes. This move comes as they aim to bolster their squad ahead of the upcoming Club World Cup, where Mastantuono is expected to play for River Plate before officially joining Madrid in August. The competition for the young talent is fierce, particularly from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), which has also shown significant interest in the player [https://www.sportingnews.com/in/football/real-madrid/news/real-madrid-hijacks-psgs-argentinian-transfer-pursuit/a6c82c448c8920fc5ddd0df1]. ### Breakdown of Real Madrid's Strategy and Challenges 1. **Signing Details**: - Real Madrid is reportedly close to agreeing on a €45 million deal for Mastantuono, with a contract extending until 2031 [https://tribuna.com/en/news/2025-06-05-real-madrid-close-in-on-45m-deal-for-river-plate-star-franco-mastantuono-reports]. - River Plate is negotiating to retain him on loan until December, allowing him to participate in the Club World Cup [https://tribuna.com/en/news/2025-06-05-real-madrid-close-in-on-45m-deal-for-river-plate-star-franco-mastantuono-reports]. 2. **Competition from PSG**: - PSG has been in advanced talks with Mastantuono and is pushing hard to secure his signature [https://tribuna.com/en/news/2025-06-01-psg-push-to-secure-franco-mastantuono-deal-amid-european-interest-fabrizio-romano]. - Real Madrid's initial hesitation allowed PSG to gain momentum in the transfer race [https://tribuna.com/en/news/2025-06-02-real-madrid-pull-out-of-franco-mastantuono-deal-to-focus-on-arda-gulers-development]. 3. **Player's Commitment**: - Despite interest from both clubs, Mastantuono has expressed a desire to stay with River Plate until the Club World Cup, which has delayed the signing process [https://tribuna.com/en/news/2025-06-05-real-madrids-pursuit-of-mastantuono-delayed-as-player-chooses-to-stay-with-river-plate-re]. ### Supporting Evidence and Market Dynamics - **Financial Aspects**: - The total cost for signing Mastantuono, including the 13% tax on the release clause, could exceed €50 million [https://tribuna.com/en/news/2025-06-05-real-madrid-asked-to-pay-release-clause-plus-13-tax-to-sign-mastantuono-reports]. - **Player's Market Value**: - Mastantuono is considered a highly-rated talent, with both Real Madrid and PSG recognizing his potential to enhance their squads significantly [https://www.businessupturn.com/sports/soccer/real-madrid-and-psg-battling-out-for-this-highly-rated-midfielder]. ### Conclusion: A Strategic Move for Real Madrid In summary, Real Madrid's pursuit of Franco Mastantuono represents a strategic effort to secure a promising young talent amid fierce competition from PSG. The club's willingness to invest heavily in the player underscores their commitment to building a formidable squad for the future. 1. **Key Takeaway**: Real Madrid is close to signing Mastantuono for €45 million, with plans for a loan back to River Plate until December. 2. **Challenges**: PSG's aggressive pursuit and Mastantuono's preference to stay with River Plate until the Club World Cup pose significant hurdles. 3. **Future Implications**: Successfully signing Mastantuono could enhance Real Madrid's midfield options and solidify their position in the competitive landscape of European football [https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/45459902/real-madrid-deal-river-plate-mastantuono].