Franco Mastantuono's Real Madrid arrival may be delayed for months as River Plate press wonderkid to stay despite €40m release clause agreement

Madrid have already reached an agreement to complete Mastantuono's signing in August, after he features for River Plate in the Club World Cup. However, River Plate are determined to keep hold of their most coveted talent until the end of the year, a recent report from ASclaims.

Although Madrid have beaten Paris Saint-Germain to the signing of Mastantuono and have also agreed to cover the taxes in addition to the player's €40 million (£34m/$45m) release clause, one key detail is yet to be sorted out. The relationship between both clubs is excellent, but River Plate president Jorge Brito is insistent on retaining the 17-year-old's services until the end of the year, while Madrid want to bring him to the Bernabeu in August. Brito is hopeful of lifting the Copa Libertadores trophy at the end of this year, and wants Mastantuono to star for the club in the tournament. Having already conveyed his intentions to the player's entourage and Real Madrid, Brito wants to fight to keep hold of his jewel despite knowing that it'll be a challenging task.

"If the player decides to leave, goes and executes the clause, there's not much we can do. We must respect the contract we have, defend the club's interests to the last cent, and try to retain the player as long as possible...," Brito told ESPN Argentina recently, well aware that everything depens on the player's will.

For now, all signs point towards Mastantuono becoming a Madrid player in August. The teenager acknowledges the efforts Los Blancos put in helping him realise his dream of featuring in the famous white jersey. At the same time, he is also in love with the idea of bidding adieu to River Plate by helping them win the Copa Libertadores in November. As things stand, the decision of whether to join Madrid in August or continue with Los Millonarios until the end of the year rests completely on the Argentine international.

It remains to be seen what happens with Mastantuono. He will feature in the Club World Cup with River Plate and could also meet his future employers in the knockout stages, should both sides make it far enough.