Door opens for Liverpool to POUNCE on Real Madrid error

Players rarely leave Real Madrid unless they are either under-developed or a falling-out of sorts has occurred. Most of the Galacticos retire after spending years dominating European football.

Los Blancos remain at the pinnacle of club football. Everyone grows up dreaming of playing for them.

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You need only to look at Trent Alexander-Arnold - a boyhood fan of the Reds, who spent 20 years in the footballing structure on Merseyside, only to run down his contract at the age of 26 to force himself a free transfer to Madrid, where he has now secured a six-year contract until 2031.

Despite securing a last gasp £10m fee for him, we missed out on a huge deal because of his conduct.

However, the opportunity to sign one of Madrid's own might be on the table now they're looking to bolster their midfield ranks, which isolate one or two if they feel a less-involved season is likely.

Madrid join PSG in race for Mastantuono

At just 17 years old, Franco Mastantuono at River Plate is one of the standout young talents in the world who has already demonstrated his enormously high-ceiling following a successful 2025.

Paris Saint Germain were set to be leading the race to sign the Argentinian, and Liverpool were also momentarily linked with him, but it seems as though Real Madrid are also set to get involved.

Fabrizio Romano wrote on Wednesday afternoon: "Real Madrid have made an approach with both Franco Mastantuono's camp and also River Plate. Mastantuono's dream since he was a kid is joining Real Madrid, now the time for negotiations. Real Madrid and PSG are in a battle to get the deal done."

The player has been featuring on the right-wing for River this season, although he could reasonably play in attacking midfield as well. Given his age, he could develop and play in a number of positions.

Madrid's attacking options are vast, with Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Arda Guler, Brahim Diaz and Kendrick already locked and loaded for next season, alongside Rodrygo whose future is uncertain.

And then in midfield, he would be battling with Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni and Dani Ceballos for minutes. Further reports are also suggesting that Angello Stiller could also be signed this summer, which would make it even more difficult for him to play.

Now, you might be thinking, why does he need to start? After all, he's only 17 years old. But over at Barcelona, the prime example is that of Lamine Yamal, a player who is the same age and plays in a similar position to Mastantuono. In order to develop, he needs to be getting regular minutes.

As such, it is reasonable to suggest that an opportunity could come Liverpool's way if someone is sent packing in order to fit Mastantuono in, although this is only if PSG are beaten to the transfer.

Just one of Valverde or Tchouameni would be revolutionary incomings for the Reds, going straight into Arne Slot's starting XI and adding the finishing touches to the best midfield ranks in Europe.

I mean, imagine adding one of their pair to Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones and Florian Wirtz, who is likely to join in the coming weeks.

Furthermore, if it happens to be PSG that come out on top, then the ideal candidate to join the Reds would be Warren Zaire-Emery, who has been sidelined for plenty of the treble-winners' season.

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These are both potential marks opportunities and Liverpool will have far more serious business to attend to, so lets not get lost in the dream world quite yet, but the club will be aware of the different possibilities that could be capitalised upon and every plausible deal will be explored.

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