River Plate begin talks with Real Madrid for Mastantuono loan deal – report | OneFootball

River Plate have opened formal negotiations with Real Madrid to re-sign teenage midfielder Franco Mastantuono on a season-long loan deal, according to football journalist Matteo Moretto.

The 18-year-old Argentine attacking midfielder is keen to return to his former club in Buenos Aires to secure regular playing time after a heavily disrupted debut season in Spain.

Mastantuono’s desire for a return home

Mastantuono moved to the Santiago Bernabeu from River Plate last year in a high-profile transfer. However, he struggled to secure consistent minutes in a highly competitive Real Madrid squad

The teenager accumulated just 1,484 minutes of first-team football across 35 appearances last season, often coming off the substitutes’ bench.

Mastantuono wants to return to River Plate. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

With competition for attacking places becoming even more difficult ahead of the new campaign, thanks to the arrival of Bernardo Silva, a temporary move away from Spain seems to be the the best step for his immediate development.

As such, Mastantuono has expressed a strong preference to return home to River Plate, where he feels comfortable with the tactical system and the environment. as he hopes to rediscover his best form and play regularly.

Real Madrid prefer European alternatives

While River Plate have launched an official approach and are actively talking to Real Madrid, a final agreement faces a major strategic obstacle.

Los Blancos have a different plan for the young midfielder’s developmental path. The Spanish club’s hierarchy would strongly prefer to send Mastantuono on loan to another top-flight team in Europe instead of letting him return to South America.

Real Madrid want Mastantuono to stay in Europe. (Photo by Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images)

Real Madrid believe that playing for a competitive side in La Liga, the Premier League, or Serie A will help the teenager adapt much faster to the high physical and tactical demands of European football.

Several European clubs have already expressed an interest in signing Mastantuono on loan for the upcoming season.

While Real Madrid are open to a straight loan deal, they will strictly refuse any option that allows an external club to buy the player permanently.

The club still maintains absolute faith in Mastantuono’s long-term future in Spain, meaning negotiations with River Plate will continue this week to see if a compromise can be found between the player’s wishes and the club’s European preference.