Jorge Pablo Brito, president of River Plate, and Ignacio Villarroel, vice president, attended the Bernabéu box this Saturday. They watched Real Madrid's victory over Leganés.
The Lamine Yamal of Argentine Soccer
River's emissaries were making a stop in Madrid on a trip that took them to China. They had a pending meeting with Florentino Pérez, the white president. The reason, a River player in whom Real Madrid has been interested for a year.
He is Franco Mastantuono, the Lamine Yamal of Argentine soccer. He is only 17 years old and has been at the highest level of Argentine competition for two years.
His upward progression has led the coach Lionel Scaloni to assure that his arrival to the world champion Albiceleste is imminent.
Florentino Was Alarmed by the Commissions
Real Madrid tried to sign him last summer, but Florentino Pérez was alarmed. River renewed him until December 31, 2026, and set his release clause at 45 million.
But Florentino Pérez didn't like the commissions that were left along the way by the agents. And neither that the price couldn't be negotiated as the clause was fixed.
Mastantuono stayed at River. But offers are piling up on the table of his agent, Augusto Fernández, a former footballer who was under Diego Simeone at Atlético in the past.
River's representatives wanted to inform the president of Real Madrid about the developments regarding the player's future, in case they might be of interest.
Florentino already knows that Atlético de Madrid is firmly interested in signing him. His signing by the colchonero club is a fact, although an economic agreement still needs to be reached. Atlético is trying to lower his price to 30 million.
Florentino Explained Why Mastantuono Isn't of Interest
But the agreement is imminent and the price will probably be set at 30 million fixed plus 10 in easily achievable objectives.
Florentino thanked the information but repeated to River's emissaries that Real Madrid's interest in their player has already passed. And that in his position, Ancelotti has the best playmaker in the world: Jude Bellingham.
River Plate's idea is to release the player after the Club World Cup, although Cholo Simeone's intention is for him to play that tournament already as an Atlético footballer.
Atlético needs to strengthen for the next season. This summer they will lose Griezmann, who is already on his way to the North American league, and Correa, who has a deal with Tigres.
News from Argentina indicates that Atlético will send two emissaries next weekend to close the deal. They will take the opportunity to watch the River-Rosario Central match live at the Monumental.