Real Madrid swoop for Argentine gem Franco Mastantuono in transfer tug-of-war

This summer, with FIFA's expanded Club World Cup on the horizon, Real Madrid have emerged as the headline act, spearheading a bold move for River Plate's prodigy Franco Mastantuono.

Real Madrid's pursuit of the 17-year-old Argentine encapsulates the frenetic energy of this transfer window. Unlike their typically measured approach, Los Blancos have acted with urgency, seeking to bolster a squad they neglected in the past two transfer periods.

While Trent Alexander-Arnold's potential move remains a long-term project, and Alvaro Rodriguez Carreras' future hangs in the balance, the chase for Mastantuono has seen Real Madrid pull out all the stops. From the sporting director's office to the financial department and even the coaching staff, the club have thrown their full weight behind the deal.

River Plate have set a firm 45 million euro release clause for Mastantuono, a figure Paris Saint-Germain baulked at last week when they thought they had secured the youngster's signature. "We're standing our ground on the clause," River Plate's board declared, as reported by sources close to the club. Real Madrid, however, re-entered the race at the eleventh hour, convincing Mastantuono of their vision, though negotiations with River Plate remain ongoing.

A year ago, Real Madrid were close to signing Mastantuono, only for disagreements with his agents and a clause hike from 15 to 45 million euros to scupper the deal.

Interest was reignited three weeks ago when the player's representatives arrived in Madrid with a far more open stance. "Franco's performances speak for themselves," one of his agents noted, highlighting the teenager's dazzling displays in Argentina.

Real Madrid's approach mirrors their successful swoop for Arda Guler two years ago. Juni Calafat, the club's head of international scouting, jetted to Buenos Aires to secure Mastantuono's commitment.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain, fresh off their Champions League triumph, now face the prospect of losing a player their manager Luis Enrique had earmarked as a priority. "It's a bitter pill," a source close to Paris Saint-Germain admitted, with club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi reportedly furious at the prospect of being outmanoeuvred by Real Madrid.

Mastantuono's desire to don the famous white jersey has been pivotal. A key factor, as reported by Spanish outlet SER, was a personal call from Xabi Alonso, a tactic Real Madrid have employed before, with Carlo Ancelotti using similar methods to lure stars in recent seasons. "The call from Alonso was a game-changer," an insider revealed.

Despite his promise to River Plate to stay until December 31 to compete in the Club World Cup and Copa Libertadores, Mastantuono knows opportunities like this are rare. Real Madrid are exploring ways to lower or defer the 45 million euro clause, leveraging their strong relationship with River Plate, evidenced by the Argentine club's president attending a match at the Santiago Bernabeu this season.

Mastantuono's participation in the Club World Cup with River Plate seems assured, though a potential loophole involving his Italian or French passport could allow an early move, pending FIFA approval. With the transfer deadline looming on June 10, time is tight.

The battle for Mastantuono is more than a transfer, it's a statement of intent. For Real Madrid, securing the latest jewel of Argentine football would be a triumph over their Parisian rivals and a chance to move on from last season's disappointments. "This is about more than just a player," a Real Madrid official said. "It's about showing we're still the destination for the world's best."