Fiorentina join race for Real Madrid youngster | OneFootball

Real Madrid are going to reach a major checkpoint in their preseason tomorrow as they will be facing Alcorcon in their first training match of the summer. This match will be played behind closed doors, and understandably, a significant portion of the first team will not be available for this game because most of the players who participated in the World Cup are still on vacation.

Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho continues to train the available players at Valdebebas. He has already led these players for a week and a half, and has obtained a good idea of what they can offer going forward. This has allowed him to shortlist the players that are not going to be part of his plans for the next season.

One such player identified by the Portuguese coach is the young forward Franco Mastantuono, who joined the Merengue team only last summer, but who clearly struggled to impress during his first season in Europe. Mourinho has already given the green light for his departure, but Real Madrid do not want to lose him permanently, and thus will let him leave only on loan.

The player is already enjoying interest from clubs across Europe. For instance, Fulham, with Alvaro Arbeloa now in charge, are looking to land him on loan. Now, Diario AS cites CalcioMercato to report that another side, Fiorentina, has also entered the race for his signing.

The Serie A side is currently sounding out the viability of such an operation, as they are looking to bring in new wingers and attacking midfielders this summer. The player’s Italian passport will also make him a particularly attractive target, as Serie A clubs are allowed only two non-EU spots, and Mastantuono will not take up such a spot.

Fiorentina will get to see Franco Mastantuono in close action as they are set to face Real Madrid in a friendly on 1st August, and it remains to be seen whether the forward will be able to impress the Italian side in that game.