Franco Mastantuono is moving towards a loan departure from Real Madrid after being left out of the squad for the pre-season friendly against Fiorentina in Austria. The 18-year-old scored three goals and provided one assist in 35 matches in all competitions last season, and Madrid now view a loan as the next step.
The squad omission and the loan plan
That omission is the clearest sign that the club are already planning around him elsewhere. Sergio Valentin of teamtalk.com put it bluntly: "Franco Mastantuono is left out of the squad because a team is being sought for him." Fabrizio Romano added: "Franco Mastantuono will leave Real Madrid on loan, decision confirmed on club side as reported over recent weeks."
The move fits the shape of Madrid's current squad. They finished second in La Liga in 2025 with 86 points and a +42 goal difference, so there is room for a young attacker to go out and play without the club losing control of his development.
Italy is the likeliest route
A return to River Plate is not the plan. Real Madrid want any loan to keep Mastantuono in Europe, and that leaves Serie A as the obvious market to watch. Romano's line was clear: "Club indicate preference for European loan over River Plate return." Fiorentina have already made contact, while AC Milan and Napoli are also being linked with a move.
The three Italian clubs are not in the same position, either. Fiorentina finished 15th in Serie A in 2025, AC Milan finished fifth and Napoli were second. That spread tells you why the race is being read as one for opportunity as much as status, because the destination will probably depend on who can offer the most useful minutes rather than the biggest badge.
For now, the important part is that Madrid have not sent him with the squad to Austria and are pushing ahead with a loan exit. The next update should come from where he ends up, and the clubs most often mentioned are all in Italy.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →
