Real Madrid teenage prodigy’s loan move to Serie A club is imminent – report

Real Madrid teenage prodigy’s loan move to Serie A club is imminent – report According to journalist Arancha Rodriguez of COPE , Real Madrid youngster Franco Mastantuono is now close to completing a loan move to Serie A side Fiorentina. The 18-year-old versatile attacking midfielder did not train with the rest of the group today and worked inside the club facilities, with his temporary move to Italy now understood to be imminent. Loan departure the right move Mastantuono arrived at Real Madrid last summer amidst a lot of hype and expectations, having been touted as the next biggest thing to emerge in Argentine football. Real Madrid shelled out €63 million to sign the teenager from River Plate and integrated him into the senior setup right away, with the player showing early promise under Xabi Alonso. However, injuries, change of managers, and a lack of impact meant that Mastantuono ended the campaign failing to deliver on the expectations and unable to establish himself at the Santiago Bernabeu. On his way to Italy. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) With Real Madrid now moving to sign Yan Diomande and retaining Endrick, Mastantuono’s situation was only going to get more difficult. As such, the idea to leave on loan and play regularly to continue his development makes total sense for the Argentine. Destination Florence Mastantuono had no shortage of interest this summer, with several clubs across Europe vying to sign him. A move to his former club, River Plate, was also discussed but shut down as Real Madrid wanted him to stay in Europe to further his development. Departure imminent. (Photo by Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images) For the same reason, Los Blancos also rejected an offer from Saudi Arabia for the teenager . Having seen the strategy work out with Endrick, who excelled on loan at Olympique Lyon during the second half of the last season, Real Madrid wanted to follow a similar formula with his fellow South American. Now, Mastantuono is understood to be on his way to Italy, with a move to Fiorentina considered imminent. The young attacking midfielder will now hope to make the most of his time with the Serie A club and return a much-improved player who can push for a starting berth at Real Madrid.