Franco Mastantuono’s future at Real Madrid appears increasingly uncertain, with the Spanish giants reportedly determined to send the highly rated Argentine midfielder out on loan during the current summer transfer window. While the club continues to believe in his enormous potential, the coaching staff and management feel that regular first-team football elsewhere would be the best way to accelerate his development. The 18-year-old started Real Madrid’s first preseason friendly against Alcorcón on Friday and showed glimpses of his quality, winning the penalty that Arda Güler ultimately failed to convert. Despite that encouraging display, it seems increasingly likely that Mastantuono will spend the 2026/27 campaign away from the Santiago Bernabéu.
After arriving in Madrid with huge expectations, Mastantuono experienced a mixed debut season. The talented playmaker featured in 35 matches across all competitions but struggled to secure a consistent starting role in a squad packed with world-class talent. He finished the campaign with three goals and one assist, respectable numbers for such a young player but below the expectations that accompanied his arrival from River Plate. With Real Madrid aiming to compete for every major trophy again this season, opportunities could remain limited, making a temporary move the preferred solution for both the player and the club.
Unsurprisingly, Mastantuono has attracted significant interest from clubs across Europe. His technical ability, vision, creativity and maturity despite his young age have made him one of the most sought-after prospects on the market. Earlier reports linked him with a return to River Plate, while Serie A giants Inter Milan have also monitored his situation closely. In France, Rennes have reportedly expressed interest, believing he could become the centerpiece of their attacking project. Meanwhile, Portuguese heavyweights Sporting CP and Benfica, both renowned for developing young talents, have also been keeping a close eye on the Argentine international.
The list of admirers does not stop there. Premier League sides Hotspur and Fulham have both explored the possibility of signing Mastantuono on loan, while Villarreal view him as another exciting addition to their youth-focused project in La Liga. Every interested club understands that Real Madrid have no intention of permanently selling one of the brightest talents in world football. Instead, the Spanish club wants him to gain valuable experience while remaining under their control before eventually returning to compete for a regular place in the first team.
According to the latest information reported by Sport, another club has now entered the race. Fiorentina are reportedly eager to bring Mastantuono to Serie A after enduring a disappointing domestic campaign that ended with a 15th-place finish. The Italian club is searching for creative attacking reinforcements and sees the Real Madrid youngster as a perfect opportunity to strengthen the squad without making a long-term financial commitment. Fiorentina believe his technical profile would fit perfectly into Italian football, where tactical intelligence and ball control are highly valued.
An additional advantage for Fiorentina is Mastantuono’s Italian citizenship. Because he holds an Italian passport, he would not occupy a valuable non-European Union registration slot, making any potential deal considerably easier from an administrative standpoint. That factor could give the Viola an important edge over several rivals competing for his signature, especially clubs that must carefully manage their non-EU player quotas.
🚨 Tottenham have made contact with Real Madrid over a loan move for Franco Mastantuono. ⚪👀
— MatchDay Central (@MatchDCentral) July 23, 2026
Real Madrid are open to sending the 18-year-old winger out on loan for the 2026/27 season but will not include a buy option, viewing him as a key part of their long-term plans.
Fulham,… pic.twitter.com/P9lyLlWvpr
Real Madrid’s position, however, remains unchanged. The club is only willing to sanction a straightforward loan move without any purchase option or obligation to buy. Florentino Pérez and the Madrid hierarchy continue to consider Mastantuono a long-term investment and have no intention of losing control over one of the most promising players of his generation. Their objective is simple: allow him to play regularly, continue his development, and return to Madrid stronger, more experienced, and ready to challenge for a permanent place in the first team.
Interestingly, Fiorentina will have an immediate opportunity to strengthen their case. The Italian side is scheduled to face Real Madrid in a preseason friendly on August 1, giving club officials the chance to hold discussions and potentially advance negotiations. Whether the Viola can overcome fierce competition from clubs across England, Spain, Portugal and Italy remains to be seen, but one thing is already clear: Franco Mastantuono has become one of the hottest young names on the European transfer market this summer.
