Franco Mastantuono nears Real Madrid exit
Real Madrid midfielder Franco Mastantuono is set for a loan move after being left out of Jose Mourinho's squad for the pre-season trip to Austria.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Author: Alejandro Ramos
Franco Mastantuono is on the verge of leaving Real Madrid on loan. Head coach Jose Mourinho excluded the Argentine from the squad travelling to Austria to face Fiorentina in a pre-season friendly.
According to reports, the player's absence was expected as he remains in Spain to finalize an agreement with a new club. Mastantuono struggled for minutes last season, recording fewer than 1500 minutes of play across all competitions, with only three goals and one assist to his name.
The coaching staff and management have deemed a loan spell the best path forward for the youngster, particularly as the club looks to strengthen the squad further. Having arrived for a significant fee of over 60 million euros, the club is keen to see him gain more consistent experience elsewhere.
Interest in the midfielder is high, with several clubs in Serie A, including Roma and Milan, as well as Premier League side Fulham, monitoring his situation. A return to River Plate has been ruled out, as both the player and the club prioritize his continued development within the European football system.