Real Madrid unsure about letting youngster leave on loan with buy option amid Fulham interest | OneFootball

As Real Madrid gear up for a transformative season ahead, there is much uncertainty surrounding the future of Franco Mastantuono.

The Argentine joined the club with much expectations, but his debut campaign at Santiago Bernabeu ended in disappointment.

With Real Madrid also signing Bernardo Silva in the summer and Endrick returning from his loan deal, Mastantuono has been linked with a loan move elsewhere.

Fulham interested but Real Madrid have doubts

According to Diario AS, Fulham have registered interest in Mastantuono, with the English club keen on signing the player on a loan deal.

Fulham want to sign Mastantuono on loan. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

This is hardly surprising given that Fulham have hired Alvaro Arbeloa as the new head coach. Arbeloa worked with Mastantuono last season at Real Madrid, though he did not really utilise his qualities much.

At Fulham, Arbeloa believes Mastantuono could be an excellent addition as Fulham look for a higher mid-table finish heading into the new season.

The Argentine has certainly shown the quality and the potential during his time at River Plate and Fulham could be the ideal platform for him to shine.

Real Madrid are skeptical

Real Madrid, though, are not entirely convinced by the proposal. Fulham’s preference is for a loan with an option to buy at the end of the season, but Los Blancos are hesitant.

What’s in store for Mastantuono this summer? (Photo by Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images)

The club continue to believe Mastantuono possesses enormous potential, and the prospect of handing another side the opportunity to sign him permanently after just one campaign is not one they are comfortable with.

Having invested €63.2 million to bring him from River Plate last summer, Real Madrid are reluctant to risk losing control of a player they still regard as a long-term asset.

Fulham are not the only club to have made contact either. River Plate, his boyhood side, and Como have both enquired about a possible loan move, giving Real Madrid alternatives should they ultimately sanction a temporary exit.

Interestingly, Mastantuono’s own representatives are said to be worried about the prospect of a loan altogether.

Their concern stems from a familiar pattern at the Bernabeu, where very few players sent out on loan have subsequently managed to establish themselves in the first team upon their return.