For months, Santiago Solari has pushed behind the scenes—urging Real Madrid to seize Franco Mastantuono before another giant strikes first.

Real Madrid are closing in on the signing of 17-year-old Argentine midfielder Franco Mastantuono from River Plate, with the deal worth around €45m including release clause and taxes. The player is expected to join the club in August 2025 after participating in the Club World Cup with River Plate.

According to Fabrizio Romano, as soon as Juni Calafat, Real Madrid’s head of international scouting, arrived in Argentina, Franco Mastantuono himself immediately contacted his agents and urged them to complete the transfer to Real Madrid without delay. This shows the player’s eagerness to join the Spanish giants.

Santiago Solari, Real Madrid’s director of football and former player, has been a major driving force behind the transfer. Romano reports that Solari spent months pushing the club’s management, insisting: “We have to sign Franco Mastantuono. This must be a Real Madrid player.” His confidence in Mastantuono’s potential has been clear throughout the process.

The club views Mastantuono as a generational talent with the qualities to develop into a key figure for the team in the future. Known for his vision, creativity, and maturity on the ball despite his young age, the midfielder is expected to strengthen Real Madrid’s squad depth and future prospects.

This signing aligns with Real Madrid’s ongoing strategy of investing in promising young players who can become cornerstones of the team in the coming years. With the deal reportedly set and paperwork underway, Mastantuono’s move to the Spanish capital looks set to be finalised soon.