Benfica show interest in signing 18-year-old Real Madrid starlet on loan

Benfica show interest in signing 18-year-old Real Madrid starlet on loan Real Madrid have an overcrowded squad, with so many stars for each position that youngsters like Franco Mastantuono and Gonzalo Garcia are unlikely to get many minutes. Los Blancos have seemingly been open to loaning out the former this summer transfer window, allowing him to develop with regular game time elsewhere. Mastantuono was signed by the club at the beginning of last season, but he could not establish himself after a bright start. Now, according to Sergio Valentin , Benfica are emerging as the strongest candidate to secure the Argentine youngster’s services. Benfica showing interest While no agreement has been reached, Jose Mourinho’s most recent former employers have built a strong reputation for developing young talent before allowing them to compete at the highest level. Benfica interested in Mastantuono. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) That track record could make them an attractive destination if Real Madrid decide not to keep Mastantuono in the first-team squad this season. At this stage, the proposed move would be a loan rather than a permanent transfer, allowing Real Madrid to retain full control over one of their brightest prospects. A sensible move for all parties A loan deal similar to what Real Madrid agreed with Olympique Lyon last January for Endrick would make a lot of sense. Mastantuono is regarded as one of South America’s biggest talents, but breaking into Real Madrid’s attack immediately is an enormous challenge given the competition for places. Regular football is often the fastest way for elite young players to develop, and Benfica could offer the balance between competitive minutes, European football and a style of play suited to technically gifted attackers. Loan move away makes sense for Mastantuono. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) Real Madrid have followed a similar strategy with other prospects in the past, prioritising long-term growth over keeping a youngster on the bench. There is always a future Los Blancos are unlikely to include a purchase clause in Mastantuono’s loan deal, and rightly so. The South American starlet has all the talent it takes to explode into a special player in the coming years and, when that happens, Madrid need to be able to capitalise. At 18, it was clear that the Real Madrid step had come a tad too soon for Mastantuono, but a Benfica move sounds perfect. Whether he joins Benfica or some other club on loan, the priority has to be for the teenager to get as many minutes as possible. It remains to be seen what the future holds for Mastantuono.