Fiorentina has officially entered the race to sign Real Madrid prodigy Franco Mastantuono, joining Fulham in pursuing the young Argentine star during the summer transfer window.
According to Diario AS, citing Calciomercato, the Serie A side has inquired about securing the 18-year-old on a loan deal as they seek to strengthen their attacking options with a new winger or attacking midfielder.
Fiorentina holds a key advantage in the pursuit, as Mastantuono possesses Italian citizenship, meaning he would not occupy a non-EU player slot in the Serie A squad.
Meanwhile, Fulham has opened talks to secure a season-long loan deal, driven by manager Álvaro Arbeloa, who is intimately familiar with Mastantuono’s potential from his time working within the Real Madrid coaching setup.
Real Madrid Open to Loan Deal with Strict Conditions
Real Madrid is open to letting the youngster leave to gain valuable first-team experience and match fitness. However, the club will only consider a pure loan with no option to buy, ensuring they retain full control over his long-term future following their major investment to sign him from River Plate.
While manager José Mourinho admires Mastantuono’s talent and potential, the Portuguese coach wants to evaluate him during pre-season before making a final decision. Securing regular playing time at the Bernabéu remains a challenge for the teenager, given the intense competition on the right flank from Arda Güler, Brahim Díaz, and Rodrygo.
Mastantuono had a mixed debut season in Madrid, featuring in 35 matches across all competitions (17 starts), scoring 3 goals and providing 1 assist in 1,484 minutes. These statistics have prompted the club’s hierarchy to consider a loan move to guarantee him greater playing time.
Contracted to Real Madrid until June 2031, the club has no intention of selling him permanently. The upcoming pre-season friendly between Real Madrid and Fiorentina on August 1 could give Mourinho a closer look at the player and potentially shape the outcome of his next destination.
