According to reports on Saturday afternoon (the 1st of August, 2026), a Real Madrid first team player is on the verge of departing the club on a loan deal.
At the moment, the headlines regarding Real Madrid are all focused on the potential signings of Rodri from Manchester City, and Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig.
However, as we know, players will have to depart the club too. As we aggregated earlier on this week, there is only one more spot left in the Real Madrid first team squad, which is set to go to Diomande. So, in order for Rodri to sign, a player will have to leave this summer. And another for any more signings, and so on and so forth.
Well, there is good news on that front. Indeed so, as it is being reported by Italian journalist Matteo Moretto that Franco Mastantuono is set to go on loan, with a deal "imminent".
Whilst he did not disclose which club he will be joining, he has said that Fiorentina are the Italian club pushing for a deal the most, whilst AC Milan have asked for information, but nothing more. Fellow Italian side AS Roma are behind in the race.
So, very Serie A heavy there. It will be interesting to see where he ends up. Earlier on in the week, Moretto reported that Mastantuno wanted to return to boyhood club River Plate on loan, after there had been direct contact between the two clubs.
However, he also stated that the club blocked this, as they would prefer him to go on loan in Europe, with there being interest from Spain, Italy (as touched on), Portugal and Germany.
Interesting. Some may say that a move within La Liga would be good. He could get used to the league that way, and it would be easier for him to settle in as a Spanish speaker. It would also be easier for the club to keep an eye on his progress.
That said, different experiences cannot be a bad thing either, and a move to somewhere like Italy could make sense. A lot of South Americans have thrived in Serie A, both historically and in recent years.
Whatever ends up happening, it is good that he is going out on loan. With Yan Diomande most likely signing, as well as the potential for Endrick to play off the right, and the return of Rodrygo in the new year, he was never going to play much. He can also play as a 10, but with the likes of Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler, that position is just as blocked really.
