By Francis Onyach - Reporter
Italy, 4 August 2026 - Fiorentina are closing in on a loan deal for highly rated Argentine teenager Franco Mastantuono, with the Serie A club currently leading the race to secure the Real Madrid youngster for the 2026-27 season.
Negotiations between the clubs are progressing, and Mastantuono is understood to be open to the move as he seeks regular first-team football after a challenging debut campaign at the Santiago Bernabéu. The main issue still to be resolved is the distribution of the player's salary, with discussions continuing between Real Madrid and Fiorentina.
Real Madrid have decided that a temporary move is the best option for Mastantuono's development.
The 18-year-old joined Los Blancos from River Plate in the summer of 2025 after the Spanish giants activated his €45 million release clause and handed him a six-year contract. He arrived with enormous expectations after establishing himself as one of South America's brightest young talents.
However, breaking into Real Madrid's first team proved difficult.
Competition for places in attack limited Mastantuono's opportunities during his first season, prompting discussions between the club and the player's representatives. Both parties agreed that regular football elsewhere would be the best next step in his development.
Fiorentina Move Into Pole Position
Fiorentina have emerged as the favourites to land the Argentine international.
The Viola have been monitoring Mastantuono for several weeks, with sporting director Fabio Paratici leading negotiations. Talks intensified during Real Madrid's pre-season friendly against Fiorentina in Austria, where executives from both clubs held discussions regarding a possible loan agreement.
Sources in Italy indicate that Fiorentina's project has impressed both the player and Real Madrid, making them the frontrunners ahead of other interested clubs.
Salary Remains the Key Issue
Although there is optimism that an agreement can be reached, negotiations are not yet complete.
The biggest obstacle is determining how much of Mastantuono's salary each club will cover during the loan spell. Once that issue is resolved, the deal is expected to move quickly toward completion.
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Reports also suggest Real Madrid want a straight loan with no purchase option or obligation, ensuring they retain full control over one of the club's most valuable young assets.
Fiorentina are not the only club to have shown interest.
AS Roma and AC Milan have also monitored Mastantuono's situation, while several other European clubs have explored the possibility of a loan move. However, Fiorentina have moved fastest in negotiations and are currently considered the most likely destination.
Fiorentina believe they can offer the ideal environment for Mastantuono's development.
The Serie A side are expected to provide the teenager with regular first-team football in one of Europe's most tactically demanding leagues. Real Madrid see this as an opportunity for the Argentine to gain valuable experience before returning to compete for a place at the Bernabéu.
The Spanish club's preference has reportedly been to keep Mastantuono in Europe rather than loan him back to Argentina, allowing him to continue adapting to European football.
Mastantuono is regarded as one of Argentina's finest prospects.
After progressing through River Plate's academy, he became the club's youngest-ever goalscorer and quickly established himself in the first team before earning a move to Madrid. His technical ability, creativity, vision and left foot have drawn comparisons with some of Argentina's greatest attacking quality.
Despite a difficult first season in Spain, Real Madrid remain convinced he has the potential to become a key player in the years ahead.
Negotiations between Fiorentina and Real Madrid are expected to continue over the coming days, with both clubs working to resolve the remaining financial details.
If an agreement on salary coverage is reached, Mastantuono is expected to complete a season-long loan move to Florence before the transfer window closes.