There were several clubs interested in signing Real Madrid’s talented player Franco Mastantuono on loan, but the choice ultimately fell on AC Florence. In Serie A, the Argentine’s main goal is to gain playing time.
Franco Mastantuono joined Real Madrid from River Plate last summer amid high expectations. According to Spanish media reports at the time, the total value of the transfer was said to have exceeded 63 million euros, 45 million of which was a transfer fee. The then-17-year-old signed with the Royals through 2031, but rarely impressed as a right winger during a turbulent first year in the Spanish capital.
Even during his second preseason with Real under the returning José Mourinho, he has yet to make a good impression. Consequently, there have long been rumors of a temporary departure for the Argentine: He is said to have secretly hoped for a loan to his youth club, River Plate, while former coach Álvaro Arbeloa and Fulham FC also threw their hats into the ring.
In the end, however, AC Florence won the race. Last weekend, the attacking player was already missing from Real’s roster in the 2-2 friendly against his new teammates. He will play the upcoming season with Fiorentina, as both clubs officially announced on Friday afternoon. According to media reports, the Italians do not have a purchase option, and no loan fee is due.
Will Grosso get the 18-year-old on track?
In Tuscany, the four-time Argentine international is expected to do one thing above all else next season: get minutes on the field. Mastantuono played in 23 games (one goal) during his first season in Europe with Real Madrid in La Liga, but only one of those was a full 90 minutes. The youngster was substituted in 12 times and out 10 times. In the Champions League, he never played a full 90 minutes in eight appearances (one goal); the 18-year-old came on as a substitute four times and was taken off early just as often.
Away from the extreme media pressure and fierce competition in Madrid, left-footed Mastantuono will play exclusively in Serie A and the Coppa Italia with Fiorentina—following a disappointing previous season in which the Viola, who had started with high expectations, were ultimately embroiled in a relegation battle for a long time despite costly new signings. The Argentine will be coached there by someone who, at least as a player, has seen it all in world soccer and most recently did a convincing job as coach at Sassuolo Calcio: World Cup champion Fabio Grosso.
