Real Madrid have been excellent when it comes to scouting and recruiting talents from South America. Players like Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Fede Valverde are proof of the success of their transfer strategy. All of them arrived at Santiago Bernabeu as youngsters, were given time to develop as players and have since then gone on to play key roles in Champions League-winning campaigns.
This summer Endrick has arrived at Real Madrid. And there are high hopes surrounding him as well. When you are considered the biggest talent in Brazilian football since Neymar, the expectations are astronomical.
Of course, there are more South American talents on Real Madrid's radar. But in recent times, they have had somewhat of a tougher time signing these players with several other clubs following a similar recruitment strategy as well.
Franco Mastantuono is someone Real Madrid as well as several other top European clubs have been linked with. And while his future remains unclear, there is one decision that Los Blancos already appear to have made.
Real Madrid have made €45 million transfer decision
As reported by MARCA, River Plate already know that Real Madrid will not pay the release clause that is currently active in Mastantuono's contract. That figure is €45 million.
There is no doubt that Mastantuono is a phenomenal talent. But it is not hard to understand why Real Madrid might be unwilling to pay that high of a release clause for a player who is yet to prove himself at the top level.
Perhaps most importantly, Real Madrid already have players like Jude Bellingham, Brahim Diaz and Arda Guler, who can play similar roles. So signing Mastantuono should not be a make-or-break for Los Blancos. That being said, if the club can bring him in for a fee that makes sense for them, then they should do it.