Real Madrid are on track to make their fourth signing of the summer transfer window with Franco Mastantuono.
Los Blancos have focused on defense during Xabi Alonso's first weeks in charge, before and after the FIFA Club World Cup, with the arrivals of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras.
However, Alonso has moved quickly to secure the services of top talent Mastantuono from River Plate, but the deal has been delayed.
A six-year contract agreement was reached on 13 June, but River Plate requested that the player remain with them for the Club World Cup, and current transfer regulations prevented him from signing with Real Madrid until his 18th birthday.
The Argentine midfielder turns 18 on August 14, when he can officially train as a Real Madrid player and begin his adventure under Alonso.
However, with the club keen to help him adapt to life in the Spanish capital as quickly as possible, Mastantuono has already arrived in Spain for a two-week adaptation period.
Speaking before departing Buenos Aires, Mastantuono expressed his emotions and desire to follow in the footsteps of Los Blancos legend Alfredo Di Stefano:
"I'm very happy. I've been waiting for this day for a long time. I'm very happy to be traveling to Madrid again," he told Marca.
"Di Stefano was a great player, a football legend. I have said that I want to follow in his footsteps, first playing for River Plate and then moving to Real Madrid. For me, it is extraordinary to follow this path and I hope to be able to do the same as him."
Mastantuono wore the number 30 shirt at River Plate, while some predictions see him wearing the number 16 at Madrid – if Endrick Felipe leaves on loan – and he dismissed claims he wants the number 10 currently linked to Kylian Mbappe:
"I would like to keep it [number 10], but if he [Mbappe] takes it, it's his right, he's an idol."
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