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Real Madrid’s scouting network in the South American region is next to none. Over the past few years, the team from the Spanish capital has churned out some of the best talents and the latest in the fray is a certain Franco Mastantuono.
A few days ago, we reported that the River Plate sensation is being eyed by Real Madrid, who happen to be leading the race. In fact, there were talks that the Los Blancos might actually make a move in 2025 after observing the 16-year-old talent for a while.
But there is a catch
Knowing that their star man is attracting interest from all over Europe, River Plate are faced with a tough situation and in order to overcome the hurdle, they have decided to protect their whizkid with a special clause.
According to Mundo Deportivo, River Plate and Mastantuono have finalized an agreement to extend the player’s contract, originally set to expire in 2025.
The new deal extends his tenure until December 2026 and carries historical significance within Argentine football.
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Under the terms of the renewed contract, Mastantuono’s termination clause is set at €45 million, a landmark figure in Argentine football, reflecting his importance to the club.
This clause is slated to increase to €50 million in the closing days of the football transfer market, underlining his growing value and market demand.
The extension of Mastantuono’s contract not only secures his future with River Plate but also signals the club’s determination to retain its top talents amidst external interest from the likes of Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, SL Benfica, and Inter Milan.
With his termination clause set at a record high, River Plate aims to safeguard its investment in Mastantuono while simultaneously positioning him as a cornerstone of their future success.
Mastantuono joined River Plate’s youth system in 2019 and in his debut season, 2024, he has played 10 matches for the senior team across all competitions, scoring one goal.
Apart from Real Madrid, Barcelona were also keen, but his new contract is set to pose a problem.