River Plate President shuts down reports of negotiations with Real Madrid for 17-year-old starlet | OneFootball

Real Madrid have made the keystone of their transfer strategy identifying and then signing the best teenagers in the world, primarily in Latin America, and it appears that 17-year-old Argentine starlet Franco Mastantuono is the latest to be earmarked. However there have been no talks between the two clubs for him.

The 17-year-old has, according to reports in the Spanish capital, agreed terms with Real Madrid, and decided that he wants to head to the Santiago Bernabeu. Further reports had claimed that Los Blancos had made a €25m bid for Mastantuono too, but River Plate President Jorge Brito has shut down that idea.

“There was no negotiation with Real Madrid for Franco Mastantuono, I can assure you. Neither with Florentino Perez nor with anyone. It was a meeting for other reasons. The player is very calm and very happy at River,” Brito told ESPN, as quoted by Diario AS.

“We believe that there is no need to rush this process. He is in full development, he is 17 years old. Neither the player nor we have any problem with him leaving. I think we have to value him and appreciate that we have a great jewel that I have no doubt will kill it the day it’s time to leave. Today is the time for him to think about River.”

Mastantuono has a contract until the end of 2026, and a €45m release clause, although this increases to €50m in the final 10 days of the transfer window. It would make no sense for Real Madrid to move for him right now. If Real Madrid are to negotiate with River though, it seems unlikely to wait too much longer, as El Millionario will not want their starlet to enter the last year of his contract and risk a reduced fee.