Franco Mastantuono joins Fiorentina on season-long loan from Real Madrid | OneFootball

Franco Mastantuono will spend next season on loan at Fiorentina. According to Superdeporte, Real Madrid will cover 50% of his wages and the deal includes no purchase option.

The move had been decided days earlier after the club formalised interest in Yan Diomande, a natural right winger. Mastantuono hopes to gain experience and return to Madrid ready to prove himself.

Madrid paid 63 million euros a year ago, including taxes, for a talent who has not met expectations. A leading figure at River Plate as a minor, he found the jump to Spain steep. Backed publicly by Xabi Alonso, who helped secure his signing amid PSG interest after his Argentina debut, he played 35 games and scored three goals in his first season.

Under Arbeloa his minutes dwindled, even after Rodrygo’s serious injury. Brahim took that flank and Diomande now aims to claim it, a pure winger unlike the Argentine who tends to drift inside. Although Mastantuono wanted to stay, he accepted the picture.

Options included a return to River despite their troubles, but Madrid preferred a pathway like Endrick’s winter loan to Lyon last season. Hence Fiorentina, with Mastantuono under contract at Madrid until 2031.

The loan is designed to give him prominence after a pre-season audition. He scored in a training match against Leganés but did not convince Mourinho.

Born in Azul, Argentina on 14 August 2007, he rose through River’s academy and debuted at 16. He made 64 appearances and scored 10 goals for the Millonarios.

Source: Superdeporte

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”