La Liga giants Real Madrid are ready push ahead with a deal for River Plate sensation Franco Mastantuono.
That’s according to Relevo, who have on Wednesday provided an insight into the latest developments behind the scenes in Spain’s capital.
The name of midfielder Mastantuono has of course taken its place front and centre in the headlines in Madrid over the course of the last couple of weeks.
As much comes after reports stemming from the 16-year-old’s home country confirmed that the powers that be at the Santiago Bernabéu had identified Mastantuono as a prime target.
It was suggested that Real would attempt to thrash out a cut-price deal with their counterparts in Buenos Aires, which would see the midfielder – widely considered to be one of the standout talents in all of South America – make the move to Spain after turning 18.
This only came, however, before ensuing confirmation arrived that Mastantuono had come to the decision to extend his terms with River Plate.
With his contract understood to contain a new release clause with the potential to rise to €50 million, in was in turn suggested that, for the time being at least, Real Madrid’s pursuit had likely come to a close.
But, as alluded to above, if the latest word doing the rounds on Wednesday night is anything to go by, then, in fact, the La Liga leaders look more committed to their efforts to land Mastantuono than ever before.
As per a report from Relevo, the brass at the Santiago Bernabéu ‘intend to add him to their ranks in the not-so-distant future’.
It is reiterated that Real’s interest is very ‘real’, albeit with the Argentine himself, for the time being at least, keen to continue his development in his home country.
Conor Laird | GSFN