Real Madrid exploring La Liga loan move for teenage prodigy after difficult season | OneFootball

According to AS, Real Madrid are actively designing a strategic loan pathway for Franco Mastantuono, intending to temporarily send the Argentine starlet away from the Santiago Bernabeu at the conclusion of the current campaign.

The definitive final decision regarding the player’s immediate future will rest entirely with the incoming Real Madrid manager, Jose Mourinho.

The Portuguese tactician must decide whether to retain the Argentine teenager in the first-team squad or sanction the temporary move to guarantee him regular playing time next season.

A La Liga club the preferred choice

Real Madrid’s hierarchy is determined to carefully handle Mastantuono’s integration following an immense total financial outlay to secure his services.

Mastantuono arrived with lofty expectations. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Los Blancos initially triggered Mastantuono’s €45 million release clause at River Plate last summer, a figure that ultimately escalated to a staggering €63.2 million once an additional €18.2 million in taxes and commissions were factored into the transfer operation.

To protect this massive economic investment and prevent his competitive growth from stalling, the board strongly prefers a loan move to a fellow La Liga club, which would allow the club’s sporting department to monitor his progress under close scrutiny.

While an alternative move to a top European league is not completely dismissed by the board, the club remains highly hesitant to send him abroad.

The Merengues remain deeply discouraged by the failed development of Reinier Jesus during his complex European loan spells at both Borussia Dortmund in Germany and Frosinone in Italy.

A difficult debut season

Mastantuono has endured a difficult debut season at Real Madrid upon his arrival from River Plate.

What next for Mastantuono? (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

After initially being considered completely untouchable under Xabi Alonso, a niggling pubalgia issue caused him to lose his place in the team.

Then, the subsequent arrival of Alvaro Arbeloa as Alonso’s replacement on the Real Madrid bench reduced the youngster’s playing time.

Despite these issues, the teenage prodigy still accumulated 34 appearances and registered three goals across the current season, highlighting his immense raw potential.

Real Madrid now view a calculated domestic loan as the absolute best step to ensure his career trajectory remains unhindered.