Juventus are considering a loan move for 19-year-old Real Madrid winger Franco Mastantuono, according to reports emerging from discussions between the two clubs regarding Brahim Diaz. The talks, which centre around Diaz’s potential stay at Real Madrid, have also included the names of young talents Gonzalo Garcia and Mastantuono.
Mastantuono arrived at Real Madrid last year for a reported €63 million from River Plate, beating competition from Paris Saint-Germain. Despite the significant investment, the Argentinian has struggled to adapt to European football and has found playing time limited, partially due to a challenging season for the club overall. Real Madrid retain faith in the player, whose contract runs until 2031, but are open to the possibility of a loan to provide him with more regular first-team opportunities.
Mastantuono rose to prominence quickly in Argentina, making his debut for River Plate at just 16 years and 5 months old. He quickly followed this up with his first goal for the club, establishing himself as a promising talent. Before his move to Spain, he amassed 64 appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing 7 assists. His first season with Real Madrid saw him contribute 3 goals and 1 assist in 35 matches.
River Plate coach Martin Demichelis has previously praised Mastantuono’s natural talent, comparing him to Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez. The player also received a personal welcome from Lionel Messi upon being called up to the Argentinian national team, signifying his potential as a future star. Interestingly, Mastantuono also excelled at tennis as a child, demonstrating exceptional coordination and athleticism before ultimately choosing football.
Adding another layer to the potential move is Mastantuono’s Italian heritage; his great-grandparents originate from the Lucania region of Italy. While he has represented Argentina, his family background could be a factor in his potential adaptation to Italian football. Juventus are now evaluating whether to pursue a loan deal for the young winger, who they view as a potential long-term asset.
