Juni Calafat warns: If Real Madrid doesn't sign him, he'll go to Barça, a generational star.

Real Madrid would have resumed contacts with one of the midfielders they had on their list of potential signings during the summer market of 2024:  Franco Mastantuono. The young attacking midfielder from River Plate has continued his growth at the millionaire club under the leadership of Martín Demichelis and Marcelo Gallardo, delivering a more than brilliant performance.

That's why several elite European soccer teams would have decided to try again to sign him. One of the clubs that would be involved in this renewed saga, according to information published by "TyC Sports," is Real Madrid itself. Indeed, the meeting between Mastantuono's representatives and a "close associate" of the white board, reported the Argentine media, would be a clear sign of this approach.

From the offices of Valdebebas, they haven't commented on this shocking turn of the hypothetical "Mastantuono case" for the next summer market. But this operation is enhanced by Xabi Alonso's proposals: in addition to signings for the defensive line, the Tolosa coach would have also requested a reinforcement in the midfield. Franco Mastantuono could be one of those considered to fulfill this request.

Juni Calafat hasn't lost sight of Franco Mastantuono's progress and has sent multiple updates on his performance to the Valdebebas offices these months. Besides those good news, he also has an important warning to give to the white leadership in the context of the hypothetical signing of Franco Mastantuono.

Difficult position

The digital newspaper "El Nacional" understands that the young millionaire attacking midfielder wouldn't look favorably on his arrival at Old Trafford. In that sense, from the environment of River Plate's "30," they would reject Manchester United's approaches with a clear objective:  to forge his arrival in Spain's elite soccer. Only two clubs, therefore, are eligible for this signing.

Once again, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona must compete to surpass their main domestic rival in the transfer market. Franco Mastantuono would be considering his arrival in Santiago Bernabéu locker room or his incorporation into the blaugrana sports discipline. Faced with these doubts expressed by Franco Mastantuono's professional environment, Juni Calafat has a very clear roadmap.

The chief scout considers that it's the ideal time to officially break into the saga with an offer that forces FC Barcelona to make a move as soon as possible. But that's not the only problem Real Madrid would have in their approach to Franco Mastantuono. Because the major obstacle recorded in the Valdebebas offices is the release clause that ties the young Argentine talent to River Plate.

This exit barrier set at 45 million euros is a figure that the merengue leadership wouldn't be willing to invest in a player of Franco Mastantuono's profile. Juni Calafat, however, reiterates his warnings:  if Real Madrid lets this opportunity pass, River Plate's "30" won't look back when negotiating with FC Barcelona.