Real Madrid is on the verge of sealing a deal for Franco Mastantuono, River Plate’s teenage sensation, for around $45 million. What’s surprising about this move is that, even though the midfielder is only 17, he could make the jump to Europe before turning 18—something that’s usually off-limits under FIFA rules. But there’s a key exception that the Spanish giants plan to take full advantage of: Mastantuono has Italian citizenship, which means he holds an EU passport.

European passport clears the way

According to Article 19.2.b of FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, international transfers of players aged 16 to 18 are allowed within the European Economic Area—as long as they have an EU passport. This same clause once allowed Benjamín Garré to join Manchester City, and now it’s opening the door for Real Madrid to bring in Mastantuono.

Even though River Plate protected their rising star with a €45 million (about $49 million) release clause, both parties are working to finalize the deal without triggering it, possibly agreeing on a structured payment plan. Plus, the Argentine club wants to keep him around for the Club World Cup, which could delay his arrival at Santiago Bernabéu until late 2025 or early 2026.

A deal pushed from the top

The move has been personally overseen by Florentino Pérez, José Ángel Sánchez, and Juni Calafat, who flew to Buenos Aires to meet with the player’s camp. According to outlets like AS and Marca, the agreement is nearly done—just waiting on some final paperwork before it’s official.

With seven goals and four assists in 55 appearances, Mastantuono has not only cemented his spot at River, but also caught the attention of Europe’s elite. His EU passport doesn’t just open the door early—it could also help him adapt faster to life and football in Europe. If everything goes to plan, Real Madrid could lock in one of the most exciting young talents on the continent—before he even turns 18.