Real Madrid’s Franco Mastantuono set to join Fiorentina on loan

Real Madrid have agreed a deal for Franco Mastantuono to join Fiorentina on a season-long loan, with an official announcement expected within hours, according to Spanish newspaper AS.

The agreement does not include an option for Fiorentina to buy the Argentina international at the end of the loan. Real Madrid are also expected to retain an interest in his long-term future after investing more than €60m in the player a year ago.

Under the reported arrangement, the two clubs will share responsibility for Mastantuono’s €3m salary during the season. AS says the deal has already been completed, with confirmation from either Real Madrid or Fiorentina expected shortly.

Mastantuono is expected to travel to Florence on Thursday, or Friday at the latest, to complete the formalities of the move.

The transfer is the latest piece of recruitment secured by Fiorentina sporting director Fabio Paratici, whose work has placed the club at the forefront of the Italian summer transfer market, according to the report.

Paratici’s strong relationship with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is said to have helped Fiorentina reach an agreement for the midfielder. The Italian club reportedly succeeded in persuading Real Madrid to allow Mastantuono to leave temporarily after the player endured a difficult first season in Spain.

Real Madrid do not want to give up on Mastantuono permanently and have instead allowed him to choose the environment that best suits his development. The club’s preference is for him to join a side where he can play regularly, helping him adapt more quickly to European football.

A conversation with Fiorentina manager Fabio Grosso ultimately convinced Mastantuono to accept the move, the report adds. Grosso told the Argentine he would be a regular starter for a squad containing a large number of new arrivals.

Fiorentina are targeting a return to the top end of the Serie A table after a poor campaign in which they came close to relegation to Serie B. Giving Mastantuono a prominent role is expected to be central to their plans for the coming season.

There is also the possibility that the loan could be extended for another year. If Fiorentina achieve their objective of qualifying for European competition by the end of the season, the agreement will be renewed for a further campaign, according to AS.

That provision would allow Fiorentina to keep Mastantuono if he establishes himself as an important member of Grosso’s team, while still ensuring Real Madrid maintain control of the player’s future.

The deal follows interest from English clubs and other Italian sides, but Fiorentina have emerged with the midfielder’s signature after offering him the prospect of significantly more playing time than he received during his first season at Real Madrid.