The European giant going after Mastantuono after being rejected by José Mourinho's Real Madrid

Franco Mastantuono's time in the ranks of Real Madrid has not developed as either the club's hierarchy or the fans had initially expected. Despite the significant investment of nearly 65 million dollars to bring him from South American football, the difficulties in adapting to the pace and demands of the first team prevented him from establishing himself throughout last season.

The recent preseason ended up sealing his immediate fate under the orders of José Mourinho. The Portuguese coach assessed the player's performance during summer training and determined that the talented winger still does not meet the tactical requirements to compete for a place in the merengue starting eleven.

The frustrated dream of returning home

Aware of his situation at Valdebebas, the first option mapped out by the player's entourage was to seek refuge on familiar ground and request a loan move back to River Plate to regain match fitness. However, Real Madrid's board abruptly shut that door, setting inflexible guidelines regarding the footballing project they have in mind for their investment.

As specialized sources such as Bitbol and OneFootball revealed, the Chamartín club is also not considering a loan to mid-table LaLiga clubs such as Real Betis. The top priority of the Madrid hierarchy is to avoid any devaluation of the player's registration and ensure that the footballer continues competing in the elite of the European continent.

The formula for boosting young talent

The strategy proposed by the sporting management seeks to replicate the development model applied with other squad talents such as Nico Paz or Endrick, giving them prominent playing time in demanding environments. Therefore, the only approved exit route is a strict one-year loan with no option to buy, while retaining absolute control over his future.

It is in this complex scenario that the figure of a Serie A giant, driven by the need to refresh its attacking front, bursts onto the scene with force. AC Milan has taken the lead to formally explore the feasibility of bringing in the attacker on loan before the transfer window closes.

An ideal fit in Calcio

One of the determining factors speeding up the negotiations between the boards is the footballer’s documentation, as he holds an Italian passport. This bureaucratic advantage is decisive for the rossonero side, since the arrival of the South American jewel would not take up a non-EU spot on the roster.

Within the Milan sporting structure, they believe that his arrival would provide a necessary leap in quality in individual one-on-one ability. Given the possible departure of Rafa Leão and the need to face the Champions League with guarantees, the young player's profile fits perfectly into the coaching staff's plans.

Fierce competition in the Italian market

However, the San Siro side is not the only contender that has picked up the phone after Real Madrid's stance became known. Renowned clubs in Italy such as AS Roma, Fiorentina and even Napoli have begun to sound out the terms of the loan deal, triggering a high-level bidding war in Serie A.

In this landscape, the player's own preference takes on fundamental importance. The forward places top priority on joining a squad that competes in Europe's premier club competition, which gives a slight edge to AC Milan and AS Roma over the rest of the suitors.

Descartes in search of a club and stars on vacation

While the Madrid hierarchy determines the destination port for its preseason discards, the established starters who shone at the World Cup are enjoying a well-deserved break before joining Mourinho's orders.

A clear example is Jude Bellingham, who did not miss the chance to take to social media in euphoria after witnessing FC Barcelona's penalty-shootout defeat to Birmingham City in a friendly match played on English soil. The British midfielder, who was developed precisely in the Midlands club's youth academy, celebrated the eternal Blaugrana rival's stumble from his homeland.

This situation stands in clear contrast to the present of the Argentine gem, who maintains a close friendship and great chemistry in the Valdebebas dressing room with the English star. Despite the language barriers, the two built an excellent relationship as teammates, sharing moments on and off the pitch during the last campaign.

However, the paths within the white dressing room are now diverging: while big names like the British international are enjoying their days off after a demanding World Cup, the young talents without a place in the Merengue setup are finalizing the details of their departures so as not to lose competitive rhythm.

Negotiations underway in the Spanish capital

According to what was reported by Bitbol, formal contacts between the Real Madrid hierarchy and the top brass of the Lombard club have already begun to define the structure of the operation. The dialogue is moving forward under the principle of a straight loan, with the distribution of the salary package during the loan year still to be finalized.

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