Real Madrid striker seeks return to former club this summer

Real Madrid striker seeks return to former club this summer

According to Sports.

Context

Franco Mastantuono, a young 18-year-old striker, had a difficult start to his career at Real Madrid, where he failed to stand out in the 2025-26 season. The loan to River Plate, his former club, is seen as an opportunity to revitalize his career and continue his development as a player. Real Madrid is focused on ensuring that its young talents have the chance to shine, preventing them from spending another season without playing rhythm.

Why this matters

Franco Mastantuono's departure from Real Madrid could be a reflection of the difficulties faced by young talents in European football. The striker, who arrived at the club with high expectations, was unable to establish himself and is now looking for a loan to continue his development. Interest from clubs like Fulham and Fiorentina shows that he is still seen as a promise in the transfer market.

Main conclusions

• Real Madrid striker seeks return to former club this summer.
• Real Madrid's Franco Mastantuono is seeking a loan back to River Plate after a complicated season in Europe, with interest from Fulham and Fiorentina.
• Real Madrid forward wants to re-join former club this summer - Yahoo Sports.

The summer transfer window is approaching and Real Madrid are set to undergo an overhaul of their squad. Among the players who could leave the club is Franco Mastantuono, who has had a difficult year since arriving at the team. The striker was unable to establish himself in the team and, therefore, is looking for a return to River Plate, where he may have more playing opportunities. Mastantuono arrived at Real Madrid with high expectations, but the reality was very different. He failed to break through during the 2025-26 season, frequently finding himself outside the starting line-up under both Xabi Alonso and Álvaro Arbeloa. The situation became even more complicated when José Mourinho informed that he is not part of the team's plans for next season. With the aim of continuing his development, Real Madrid are willing to loan him out for the 2026-27 season. Clubs like Fulham and Fiorentina have shown interest in the player, but Mastantuono has a clear desire: to return to River Plate, where he feels more comfortable and believes he will have more chances to play. The idea of a loan is seen as a beneficial solution for both the athlete and the club. Real Madrid wants to ensure that Mastantuono gains experience and confidence, thus avoiding a new season without playing rhythm. It is an important step for the young player, who cannot afford to spend another year without prominence. Although the Spanish club would prefer him to continue his evolution in European football, the player's will may prevail. A return to River Plate, even if it doesn't make much sense for the Real Madrid board, couldbe inevitable if Mastantuono insists. Therefore, next season will be crucial for him, as he seeks a new chance to show his talent and make the signing that generated so much expectation count. The final decision on where Mastantuono will go will be made by Real Madrid, but the tendency is for a loan deal to be concluded soon, allowing the striker to have a fresh start and shine again on the pitch.

What happens next

With the summer transfer window approaching, Real Madrid are expected to finalize a loan move for Mastantuono, possibly to River Plate, where he could have more playing opportunities. This decision could be crucial to his career, allowing him to gain experience and confidence. The club is also evaluating other departures, with players like Eduardo Camavinga and Raul Asencio in the same situation.