Real Madrid: Mastantuono has a new team... staying in LaLiga

Franco Mastantuono has become a headache for José Mourinho as he has shown not to have the level to be a Real Madrid player, barely a year after landing as one of the great future bets of the white club. The Argentine, signed from River Plate for €63.2 million, has not yet fully justified such a high investment.

At just 18 years old, the attacking midfielder arrived surrounded by huge expectations. In Argentina, he was presented as a generational talent, and at Valdebebas, he was welcomed into the first team with barely any transition, but the reality of LaLiga has been much tougher than expected.

Franco Mastantuono loses his place at Real Madrid

The first part of the season fueled optimism. Franco Mastantuono started in 13 of the first 18 games, a remarkable figure for a player newly arrived in European football and still in the process of physical, tactical, and emotional adaptation.

However, his performance weakened as the matchdays passed. A pubalgia hindered his continuity, and upon his return, the situation had already changed. Rodrygo's injury gave him some opportunities, but his appearances became increasingly irregular.

The final stretch only confirmed the doubts. The Argentine was only a starter in two of the last 20 games, falling behind Brahim Diaz and other more established players. At Real Madrid, they believe the talent is still there, but also that he needs playing time away from the pressure of the Bernabéu.

Villarreal CF emerges as the ideal destination in LaLiga

As reported by Superdeporte, Villarreal CF has positioned itself as one of the most interesting destinations for Franco Mastantuono. The Castellón-based club meets several basic requirements that Madrid considers essential: it competes in the Champions League, plays in LaLiga, and can offer a more stable environment for the player to develop.

Real Madrid's priority is not a sale. The Argentine's contract runs until 2031, his market value is around €45 million, and the club does not contemplate losing control of such a significant investment. The chosen approach would be a long loan, probably for two seasons.

Additionally, Madrid wants the destination club to assume a significant part of the player's wages. Mastantuono earns around €7.3 million gross per year, so the receiving entity should take care of about €3.6 million, approximately half of the salary.

A loan with very clear conditions

Real Madrid's roadmap is precise. There will be no transfer, no purchase option, no operation with a buy-back clause. The goal is to protect the asset, not to part with it. The decision will also require the player's and his agency, Area Sport Team led by Augusto Fernández, approval.

Other clubs have inquired about his situation. Porto, Sporting CP, and Inter Milan are among the most prominent candidates, while clubs like Benfica, Tottenham, Juventus, Stade Rennes, or even River Plate face challenges in fitting due to not meeting all sporting conditions.

In this scenario, Villarreal CF gains strength. Their associative style, commitment to young players, and ability to provide playing time without compromising on demand make the Submarine a very appealing option.

Franco Mastantuono needs to play to avoid stagnation

The situation of Franco Mastantuono is not seen as a definitive failure but rather as a course correction. The leap from Argentina to Real Madrid was huge, and the white club now acknowledges that perhaps the process was accelerated too much.

For the player, going out on loan could be the best news. In LaLiga, with continuity and less media noise, he would have the space to regain confidence, improve physically, and demonstrate that he can still be significant in Real Madrid's future.

The next step will be to convince the player himself. Franco Mastantuono must decide whether to accept an intermediate stage for growth, and Villarreal CF emerges today as the destination that best fits to revive a career that Real Madrid is not ready to give up on yet.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Real Madrid: Mastantuono ya tiene nuevo equipo... se queda en LaLiga