Jude Bellingham's star power at Real Madrid is having a ripple effect on the club. The England international, who transferred from Borussia Dortmund to Los Blancos in 2023, quickly became a fan-favourite.
In his debut season, Bellingham netted 23 goals and stepped up as a key player for Carlo Ancelotti's team, despite the pressure of donning the number five shirt famously associated with Zinedine Zidane. The England ace was crowned La Liga player of the season as Real secured the league title and concluded the season with a Champions League triumph. This year hasn't been quite as successful for Real, who are likely to end the season without the league title, having also been ousted from the Champions League by Arsenal. Nevertheless, Bellingham has contributed to 27 goals this season, and club president Florentino Perez has outlined how the 21-year-old will continue to shape Real's transfer strategy.
Ex-Real defender Oscar Ruggeri recently touted River Plate prodigy Franco Mastantuono for a transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu. The 17-year-old midfielder has made his way into River's first team this season, and ESPN pundit Ruggeri relayed a message to Perez about the young talent while live on air, as reported by Diario Registrado.
In a voice message, Ruggeri purportedly told Perez: "Hello! President, here we are in a program with Sebastián Vignolo... we have a player here in Argentina: Mastantuono...who is one of the best at 17 years old. I want to see an Argentine at Real Madrid, cheers."
Despite it being over a decade since Angel Di Maria's tenure at Real Madrid, Ruggeri stated that Perez didn't intentionally overlook Argentinian talent. As per 442 Perfil, Ruggeri recalled a conversation in which he reminded Perez of the club's previous Argentinian icons: "President, there have always been Argentines here. Redondo, Valdano, Di Stéfano..."
To which Perez – who made clear the dressing room's view on Bellingham behind the scenes – allegedly responded: "Oscar, it has to be someone different from anything else. Did you see this Englishman? Bellingham is the star and everyone loves him... something dazzling has to come along."
While Perez may want potential signings to meet certain criteria, Ruggeri intimated that Mastantuono might already have caught the eye of Real Madrid. Speaking with a grin, the ex-Real defender teased: “Do you think they haven’t noticed him?"
Regarding current Real players, it has been reported that the attention lavished on Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid is ruffling feathers among their colleagues. Marca claimed Rodrygo felt displaced and was eying a summer exit due to the attention garnered by Bellingham and Mbappe.
Despite not featuring in Real's last three league games due to fitness issues, Rodrygo quashed exit rumours on Instagram, stating: "Thank you for all your messages and concerns. I'll be back soon. Stop making things up."
Rodrygo’s playing time has diminished this season, leading the Daily Mail to report that the winger is attracting interest from Premier League giants Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City in the transfer market.
Since moving from Santos to Real in 2019, 24-year-old Rodrygo has played 267 times for the club, winning three La Liga titles and twice triumphing in the Champions League. With Ancelotti set to take over Brazil's national team, Rodrygo will aim to dazzle incoming Real boss Xabi Alonso.
As for Los Blancos' recruitment strategy, it remains to be seen whether Perez will heed Ruggeri's advice on Mastantuono. The River Plater talent's contract reportedly carries a release of around £33million, rising to approximately £37m as the summer transfer deadline approaches.