Real Madrid have reportedly decided that highly rated teenager Franco Mastantuono will spend the 2026-27 season away from the Santiago Bernabéu in an effort to accelerate his development. The Argentine midfielder arrived from River Plate for a reported fee of €45 million and was regarded as one of the club's brightest young prospects. However, his first year in Spain proved challenging as he struggled to adapt to European football and found regular playing time difficult to secure.

The club's coaching staff reportedly believes Mastantuono needs consistent first-team experience before he can compete for a permanent role in Real Madrid's senior squad. With limited opportunities expected in the upcoming campaign, the decision has been made to arrange a season-long loan, allowing the 18-year-old to gain valuable minutes at a high competitive level while continuing his development.

Although River Plate expressed interest in bringing their former star back, Real Madrid are determined to keep Mastantuono in Europe. Club officials believe remaining in a European league will provide the best environment for him to improve tactically, physically, and technically. As a result, they have turned down the possibility of a return to Argentina and are instead exploring offers from clubs across Europe.

Current reports suggest the Premier League could become Mastantuono's next destination. Fulham have emerged as one of the leading candidates after reportedly expressing strong interest in signing the young midfielder on loan. The London club is believed to view him as an exciting addition for the new season, offering him the chance to gain valuable experience in one of the world's most competitive leagues while preparing for a future return to Real Madrid.