FC BARCELONA SIGNINGS 2025
Franco Mastantuono: why did Barça reject his signing?
Published:17/06/2025 - 03:06h
Updated:17/06/2025 - 03:06h
Franco Mastantuono was offered to Barça in 2024, but the 'culés' rejected his signing. Finally, Real Madrid acquired the 'jewel' of River Plate paying more than 60 'kilos'
FC Barcelona had Franco Mastanuono within 'reach' in 2024, but the 'azulgrana' board rejected entering the bidding for the River Plate youth player. Although he was the Argentine player with the best projection in recent years, the operation was not viable for the 'culé' sports and financial planning.
Even before Euro 2024, the Azul player was offered to Barça and Madrid. By then, Lamine Yamal had already taken over the right side of Barça's attack and the club did not hesitate to bet on his starting role in 24/25.
Lamine Yamal's explosion closed the door to Mastanuono
After the consecration of the Mataró player in the European Championship, Hansi Flick took charge of the 'azulgrana' team, giving the '19' the continuity and confidence necessary to become the best player on the planet at the end of 24/25.
Lamine closed the season with 18 goals and 23 assists in 55 games, being fundamental in the three titles (League, Cup and Super Cup) won by Barcelona. At the end of the season, the board resolved his renewal until 2031, with a contract befitting the one who is already the main figure of the team and the cornerstone of the 'culé' sports project.
Therefore, Mastantuono ran out of space in the Barça squad. The River Plate youth player is a natural right winger, although not as overflowing as Yamal, but with the ability to hook towards his left foot to step into the rival area.
His powerful shot (he is already a notable free-kick taker) and technical quality are his best offensive weapons. These attributes led Florenino Pérez to open the checkbook, paying a notable figure for the 17-year-old player.
River's economic demands were not within the 'culé' budget
In addition to the sports aspect, financially the operation was not viable for Barça either. River Plate set Mastantuono's release clause at 45 million euros, a figure that, including the CPI and other variables, reached 63.5 'kilos'.
This summer, the 'azulgrana' team plans to invest a similar sum in the signing of a left winger. Nico Williams and Luis Díaz are the options best valued by the club, but an expense of that magnitude for a player with Franco's characteristics simply did not make sense.
In addition to Lamine's presence, Barça has Raphinha to occupy the right side of the attack. The Argentine 'jewel', in fact, has very similar characteristics to those of Raphinha, as he can also play as an attacking midfielder.
As things stand, Barcelona preferred to leave the way clear for Real Madrid for the 17-year-old player. A signing that, although it generates a lot of expectation in the press and the 'merengue' fans, is still a very risky bet, as this will be the youth player's first European experience. For the 'blancos', since Ángel Di María there are no precedents of success in terms of Argentine internationals.