Real Madrid offer for Argentine Pearl Mastantuono revealed

Details of Real Madrid’s offer to River Plate for South American gem Franco Mastantuono have been revealed by SPORTwhich cited anonymous sources.

Earlier this month, the same outlet reported how the youngster had agreed terms with Los Blancos to join them in the near future.

But reaching an agreement with his Buenos Aires club is another matter entirely and president Florentino Perez appears to be leading difficult negotiations.

Mastantuono’s release clause is set at $48.2 million (€45 million), the price Perez paid for Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo at the turn of the decade.

Their Brazil national team colleague, Endrick, could end up costing more, given a $37.5 million (€35 million) fixed-money deal and an additional $26.8 million (25 million euros) due later in variables were concluded with Palmeiras at the end of 2022.

Endrick will cross the Atlantic after wrapping up the Copa America with Brazil and turning 18 in July.

However, alongside Kylian Mbappe, and perhaps Leny Yoro, he may not be the only newcomer at the Bernabeu this summer.

That’s if Perez’s offer totals $21.5 million (20 million euros) between fixed and variable currency, according to SPORTis accepted by the Argentines.

Perez has his work cut out for him, offering less than half the value of Mastantuono’s release clause, but the fee filed matches what Manchester City have paid in recent years for two of River’s other former academy gems , Julian Alvarez ($23 million/€). 21.5 million) and Claudio Echeverri ($19.8 million/18.5 million euros).

For Mastantuono, City are once again Madrid’s rival in the transfer market. However, the youngster appears to have his heart set on playing in the Spanish capital where he hopes to one day line up in midfield alongside Jude Bellingham, Fede Valverde and Arda Guler.

If a deal for him is agreed in the coming weeks, Mastantuono could already join Madrid and be incorporated into Castilla’s reserve team under Raul, despite being only 16 years old.

Indeed, like many Argentines, he has Italian ancestry, which gives Mastantuono access to a passport allowing him to play anywhere in the EU.