Spanish soccer giant Real Madrid is set to smash a transfer record with its latest expected signing … More
Spanish soccer giant Real Madrid is set to smash a transfer record with its latest expected signing according to Argentine journalist Hernan Castillo, who relayed the information using his popular account on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Reacting to bitter rival FC Barcelona scooping a domestic treble while his club finished 2024/2025 trophyless, President Florentino Perez has been characteristically busy in the transfer market already.
His first port of call was triggering Spain center back Dean Huijsen’s $68 million (£50 million) release clause at Bournemouth, which was swiftly followed by paying $11 million (€10 million) to get now former Liverpool right back Trent Alexander-Arnold out of his contract before expiry on June 30 so that he can play the upcoming Club World Cup.
With Alvaro Carreras another target for left back, who Madrid should give Benfica around $58 million (€50 million) for, Perez can’t be accused of not making defensive reinforcements in purchasing pretty much a whole back line while the likes of David Alaba, Eder Militao and Toni Rudiger will battle to be Huijsen’s central partner.
Yet despite Madrid not lacking attacking options, Perez is once more playing the long game – as we previously saw by securing Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo and Endrick when they weren’t yet adults – by purchasing River Plate wonderkid Franco Mastantuono.
Though Los Blancos were always linked to the 17-year-old, talk of them buying him had cooled off with Champions League kings Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City considered the frontrunners for his signature.
Last week, however, things escalated when Madrid sent a delegation to Buenos Aires to hash out a deal.
That’s already been done, as reported by numerous outlets, and Mastantuono is expected to cross the Atlantic after playing his last games for River at the Club World Cup.
Boasting an EU passport thanks to Italian ancestry that many Argentines share, he won’t have to wait until he is 18 to land in Europe, as we’ve often seen with the Brazilian stars of tomorrow.
When the transfer is finally done, though, it will break a record according to Castillo. The reporter points out that while Mastantuono’s release clause is $51 million, the total cost of the operation totals $70 million including taxes making it the “most expensive in the history of Argentine soccer”. Furthermore, it will be paid in full at once, and not in installments.
Mastantuono is expected to join Real Madrid’s first team squad
Rather than start off in the Castilla reserve outfit, Mastantuono is expected to join Real Madrid’s first team squad immediately upon arrival, and challenge the likes of Rodrygo and Arda Guler for minutes on the right flank to form a trident with Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe.
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