Real Madrid signing Franco Mastantuono was something straight out of the movies.
PSG were so agonizingly close to signing him this summer, just before the end of the Club World Cup transfer window. That was until Real Madrid quietly swooped in and signed the biggest talent out of Argentina for a decent price. Xabi Alonso wanted him, and he got him.
Of course, it was expensive, but Real Madrid have learned that they have to be able to bring out the big bucks to take a chance on a youngster being a generational player.
Everyone at Real Madrid thought they were signing a midfielder - which, in part, was true. However, he has been playing at the right-wing spot for a while now, and in an interview with Dazn, he has cleared the air about where he plays.
Franco Mastantuono, regardless of position, was needed at Real Madrid
He was asked about his positioning and where he likes to play, to which he gave an answer that would shatter the image of him in some Real Madrid fans' heads. Not in a bad way, though.
He said: "I feel like l’m more of an attacker than a midfielder.
"I play more on the right today, and I fulfill an attacking role. I like finishing chances.”
It was kind of obvious, but it was also kind of not. Mastantuono was originally a midfielder. He is still a creative hub for River Plate. However, he does play as a winger now, and has for a while.
In the same interview, he confirmed that he used to play as a 10.
He said: “As a kid, I used to play as a 10, it’s between midfield and attack. Today, this position is not seen as much because the 10 fulfills another role as football is much more physical.
"Now there are 11 players who have a tactical plan that they must fulfill.”
It makes sense now. He does not quite have the pace for a winger - kind of like Guler but definitely quicker - but Mastantuono has talent on the ball well beyond his years, and he would still act as a wide creative midfielder looking to make chances for his teammates.
Mastantuono's finishing seems good, too. So it remains to be seen what Xabi Alonso does with his talents.