Neither Paris Saint-Germain nor Manchester United… Florentino Pérez secures the signing of the deal of the season, reaching an agreement with the player until 2031 for €45 million.

After a forgettable and frustrating season in which Real Madrid walked away without a single piece of silverware, Florentino Pérez has responded in the most Pérez-like fashion possible: by pulling off what is already being hailed as the deal of the season. With rivals circling, including heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United, Real Madrid have quietly secured the signing of Franco Mastantuono, the teenage prodigy from Argentina, on a long-term deal that runs until June 2031.

Real Madrid’s pursuit of Mastantuono has been anything but simple. With the club enduring one of its most challenging campaigns in recent years—marked by inconsistency, injury troubles, and the dominance of archrivals FC Barcelona—there was immense pressure on the board to act swiftly and decisively in the transfer market. And they have delivered.

According to reports from Defensa Central, the Spanish outlet closely tied to club sources, everything has now been finalized. The 17-year-old River Plate sensation will join Los Blancos in a deal worth €45 million, an amount that meets the player’s release clause. Despite PSG’s late push and attempts by Manchester United to hijack the deal, Mastantuono had already made up his mind.

Renowned journalist Nicolò Schira confirmed the breaking news on social media:

“The deal is done and confirmed! Franco Mastantuono is moving from River Plate to Real Madrid for €45 million, and he will sign a contract until June 30, 2031.”

This bombshell confirmation sent shockwaves through the football world, especially as the deal had been kept under wraps in its final stages. While there were whispers that Madrid had been negotiating behind the scenes, few anticipated the announcement to arrive so suddenly—and with such confidence.

For Real Madrid, the capture of Mastantuono is far more than just another addition to the roster—it’s a strategic move that underlines the club’s ongoing commitment to youth development and long-term planning. The success stories of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, and Jude Bellingham have paved the way for Mastantuono’s arrival, with all three proving that youth is not just tolerated at the Bernabéu—it is embraced.

Despite his age, Mastantuono is already commanding respect in senior football. At River Plate, he has demonstrated not only skill and creativity but also leadership and vision—qualities rarely seen in players so young. His ability to dictate the tempo of the game, pick out killer passes, and operate under pressure has earned him comparisons to legendary Argentine midfielders.

Sources close to the deal suggest that Mastantuono turned down more lucrative offers in order to fulfill a childhood dream of wearing the iconic white shirt of Real Madrid. “It’s not just a transfer,” said one Argentine journalist. “It’s a love story between a boy and the club he always wanted to represent.”

His arrival is also a testament to Florentino Pérez’s pulling power. While clubs like PSG boast deep pockets and Manchester United can offer the Premier League spotlight, few institutions carry the prestige, history, and aura of Real Madrid. For many South American youngsters, playing at the Bernabéu remains the ultimate goal—and Pérez has once again leveraged that sentiment to perfection.

Mastantuono’s profile fits perfectly within Carlo Ancelotti’s—now Xabi Alonso’s—evolving vision of the squad. A natural attacking midfielder who is also capable of playing on the right wing, he offers much-needed tactical flexibility. As Real Madrid look to rebuild and revitalize their midfield after recent exits and aging legs, Franco is expected to be groomed into a long-term cornerstone of the team.

Behind the scenes, some club insiders have noted concerns about the influence of the player’s agent, who previously hinted at exploring other European options. However, those doubts were cast aside once Mastantuono expressed his personal desire to join Madrid—a wish that ultimately carried more weight than any external pressure.

The deal also aligns with Madrid’s broader recruitment philosophy. The club’s recent approach has centered on identifying elite young talent before their market value skyrockets. By locking down Mastantuono early, Madrid not only avoids inflated bidding wars but also secures a potential superstar before he fully bursts onto the world stage.

Mastantuono is expected to join the squad during preseason and may start his journey with Castilla before being gradually integrated into the first team. However, if his adaptation goes as smoothly as Bellingham’s or Vinicius’s, fans might see him feature in high-stakes matches sooner rather than later.

For now, the excitement in Madrid is palpable. From fans in Spain to supporters in Buenos Aires, this move symbolizes not only Real Madrid’s intent to return to glory but also the continuation of its rich legacy of discovering and nurturing generational talent.

As the dust settles on one of the most captivating youth transfers of the summer, one thing is certain: Franco Mastantuono’s journey at Real Madrid is only just beginning—and the football world will be watch