Tottenham now in race against time to sign Franco Mastantuono after Jose Mourinho rejection

Tottenham Hotspur seem keen to build something special for Roberto De Zerbi.

The Italian arrived in North London back in April, before he steered the club to safety in the final weeks of the season.

As a result, De Zerbi has been handed the keys to the rebuild, with Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson joining, while there are links with the likes of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.

Next up, could be Franco Mastantuono, who could be on his way out of Real Madrid, just a year after joining Los Blancos.

The 18-year-old Argentine is one of the most highly rated youngsters in the world, though has endured a difficult spell in the Spanish capital.

With this in mind, Tottenham could be set to capitalise, as they themselves build around their new manager.

Tottenham face race against time to seal Franco Mastantuono deal

An attacking midfielder by trade, Mastantuono was shifted out to the right flank at the start of last season.

After a disappointing spell, he was not quite able to work his way back into the team under Alvaro Arbeloa - finishing the term with four goal contributions.

And with former Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho now taking the reins at the Bernabeu, Spanish outlet Sport reports that the 18-year-old does not sit in his plans.

As part of the report, Spurs are mentioned as one of the sides interested, with La Liga side Villarreal said to be in pole position.

It is understood that Villarreal have met Real Madrid's demands for the youngster, and now all that's needed for a deal is an agreement on personal terms, putting Spurs in a race against time to hijack the deal.

A return to River Plate is deemed off the cards, with Mastantuono wanting to stay in Europe, with Inter Milan and Juventus mentioned as suitors alongside Portugal's big three.

Real Madrid are looking for a club to take the youngster on loan, ideally one in the Champions League, but Spurs could well be an enticing option should he have the trust of De Zerbi placed in him.

Why must Tottenham be careful with Mastantuono loan?

At 18, it would be incredibly harsh to call Mastantuono a 'failed wonderkid' - especially with him playing for the biggest club in the world.

However, he is not quite the polished diamond yet, and Spurs are not in a position where they can be building around unfinished talents.

Tottenham have been here before recently, with Mathys Tel joining from Bayern Munich after his failed big move, alongside Randal Kolo Muani, after his poor stint at PSG.

Tel in particular is a huge talent, but he arrived in North London after an underwhelming spell with a world superpower in Bayern.

The same can be said from Mastantuono, whose confidence will have surely been damaged following such a year, directly after he left as River Plate's talisman.

Spurs could be the club to rescue the young Argentine, but they cannot put all of their eggs in this basket.