Fulham have opened talks with Real Madrid over deals for Gonzalo and Franco Mastantuono to move to Craven Cottage this summer.
AS report on Fulham’s double negotiations today as they look to reunite both youngsters with Alvaro Arbeloa.
Fulham target Gonzalo
The newspaper explains that Real Madrid’s squad is in the early stages of their pre-season preparations and several players have yet to resolve their futures.
Gonzalo and Franco Mastantuono represent two of the trickiest situations in the squad. Jose Mourinho wants to assess both players during pre-season before openly discussing the role that they may play in his new project.
But there are competing interests, specifically from Fulham. They are pushing hard to bring both players to the Premier League. Talks regarding both potential signings are already underway. Alvaro Arbeloa firmly has his sights on his old club.
The move for Gonzalo is ‘particularly significant’. Fulham want to sign him permanently and are preparing an offer designed to tempt Real Madrid. The player, though, wants to try and convince Mourinho during the summer before deciding upon his future.
He knows he would have to share minutes with Kylian Mbappé and Endrick, which could push him to the Premier League. Playing in England is a dream for him. Working under Arbeloa again, after he backed him at Real Marid, would work in this regard.
Need to convince Mastantuono
Franco Mastantuono faces a similar situacion. Competition is fiercest on Madrid’s right-flank. He has to compete with Arda Guler, Brahim Diaz and Rodrygo. But his representatives are worried about a loan deal as few players loaned out by Madrid have gone on to succeed at the club.
That puts Fulham at a disadvantage as they are proposing a loan deal with an option to buy after one season. Real Madrid are reluctant to lose control of the Argentine, though. They believe the 18-year-old is nowhere near to fulfilling his potential.
So, they would be reluctant to agree to any sort of deal with a future purchase. Fulham, it seems, have work to do on that potential deal and the one for Gonzalo. But the latter is more obtainable at this moment in time.
