MU Shorts
Real Madrid repeating the same mistake with Mastantuono as they did with Arda Guler
Real Madrid are making a strong move to secure the signing of Franco Mastantuono, the 17-year-old star from River Plate.
Talks between the two clubs are ongoing, with Madrid pushing to get the deal done as quickly as possible.
The young Argentine has already agreed to join the Spanish giants, so the only thing left is for the clubs to settle on the payment structure.
His release clause is set at €45 million, a figure that both Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are willing to pay.
To make sure they don’t miss out, Real Madrid have sent their top scout, Juni Calafat, to Argentina to close the deal, as they do not want to repeat what happened with Arda Guler, who they only acted on seriously once Barcelona were close to signing him.
The case with Mastantuono is similar, except this time, PSG are the main threat. Although Real Madrid had backed off from the deal earlier, fearing it could block the development of Guler, they have jumped back in once it became clear PSG were serious.
Now, they are going all in to make sure one of the most exciting talents in South America doesn’t slip away.
The challenge of fitting in
Mastantuono is a creative midfielder, known for his vision, skill, and confidence well beyond his years.
While he mostly plays on the right for River Plate, he is a classic number 10 who can drift into central areas and create chances. His style of play is very similar to Guler’s, who also prefers operating in that space between midfield and attack.
This, however, creates a challenge. Real Madrid already have several players who can play in the same position, namely, Guler, Brahim Diaz, and even Jude Bellingham, who owned the attacking midfield role under Carlo Ancelotti.
Next season, under new coach Xabi Alonso, the team is expected to use a 4-3-3 system. That means only one spot will be available on the right wing, and it is already being contested by Rodrygo, Brahim, Guler, and now possibly Mastantuono.
Then there is Nico Paz
In the central role, Bellingham remains the clear first choice. Still, Guler, Brahim, Mastantuono, and even Nico Paz (if he returns from Como) could be rotated in.
This crowd of talent is one reason why Madrid had hesitated earlier in the deal, not wanting to stall Guler’s growth. But with the threat of losing Mastantuono to PSG, the club is now determined not to let him go.
In that regard, Mastantuono’s arrival could also affect the future of Nico Paz. While he is currently with Como, Madrid still hold a buyback clause of just €8 million.
He was a player requested by Xabi Alonso himself, but with so many players now set to compete for similar roles, his return may not be as smooth as expected.
With a plethora of talent at their disposal, it is obvious for someone to raise the question of how Real Madrid plan to use Mastantuono. While it is said that he would stay with River Plate until December, what happens after that?
The point being, Real Madrid have done exactly what they did with Guler, signing him out of fear of losing him, and the 2024/25 season ultimately witnessed the Turk fading in prominence.
Real Madrid will be eager to move to the top of the La Liga standings as they get set to take on Real Betis in a Matchday 4 fixture in La Liga tonight.
Under new manager Jose Mourinho, the Merengues have made a strong start to the season, winning three in three, with their latest match ending in a 4-0 triumph against Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The fact that superstars like Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr. have made strong starts to the season, while new signings Marc Cucurella and Ibrahima Konate have also made positive impact bodes well for Los Blancos.
The aim will be to secure their fourth victory in a row and continue building the momentum especially with the UEFA Champions League opener against Inter Milan coming up next.
Going into the game, though, Real Madrid will once again be without as many as seven players as Aurelien Tchouameni, Endrick, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo Goes, Thiago Pitarch, and Raul Asencio remain unavailable.
New teenage signing Sergio Martinez has been named in the squad and could be in line for his debut at Estadio de La Cartuja tonight.
Having made some rotations to the starting XI last time out against Malaga, here’s how Mourinho could set his Real Madrid team up tonight.
Defence
Thibaut Courtois is a confirmed starter in goal for Real Madrid and will be looking for his second clean sheet of the new campaign.
As for the defensive line, there is likely to be only one change with Ibrahima Konate coming back into the team in place of Antonio Rudiger, who made his first start of the season vs Malaga.
Dean Huijsen has been a constant fixture at the heart of the defence so far and that is unlikely to change.
At right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold appears set to retain his place after an impressive display in his first start of the season last weekend. It means, new signing Denzel Dumfries will remain on the bench. Marc Cucurella, meanwhile, should start again on the left side.
Midfield
Bernardo Silva was one of the players that Mourinho rotated against Malaga, and is expected to return to the lineup tonight against Real Betis.
The Portuguese international has done fairly well in his new role as part of the double pivot alongside Federico Valverde, who will retain his place in the team.
It would mean Eduardo Camavinga misses out after having a decent game on his first start of the season last weekend.
Jude Bellingham has been in spectacular form since the start of the season, already racking up two goals and two assists from three games. Back in his preferred role as an attacking midfielder, he will start there again tonight.
Attack
Moving into the attacking unit, Mourinho is expected to make one key change as Arda Guler should replace Brahim Diaz on the right flank after scoring Real Madrid’s fourth goal against Malaga coming on as a substitute.
What it also means is that blockbuster summer signing Yan Diomande will have to wait for his first start for Real Madrid.
Kylian Mbappe has already scored four goals in three games, making a blistering start to the season and will be aiming to build on that as he chases a hat-trick of Pichichi Trophies.
Rounding off the attacking trident will be superstar Vinicius Jr., who will also be hoping to get among the goals.
