River Plate Stand Firm: No Real Madrid Talks Over Franco Mastantuono Amid European Transfer Buzz

River Plate Quashes Real Madrid Negotiation Rumors for Franco Mastantuono

Gossip has been swirling about Franco Mastantuono, River Plate’s dazzling 17-year-old midfielder, packing his bags for Europe after just a taste of first-team football in Argentina. But the club’s boss, Jorge Brito, is shutting down that talk—quickly. Despite reports that River Plate met with Real Madrid representatives, Brito flat-out denies anything serious happened between the clubs. His message is clear: River Plate isn’t in any negotiation dance with Madrid right now, no matter what the rumor mill says.

Mastantuono’s rise has been rapid. The midfielder earned his first-team debut with River Plate at just 16—a huge deal in Argentine football, where fans are used to spotting future stars early. That launchpad got him noticed across Europe, especially in Spain, where Real Madrid is known for scooping up South American prodigies before their value skyrockets. Yet, according to River Plate, all the whispers about an imminent transfer are just smoke, no fire.

Sources in Argentina tried to stir things up last week, claiming club officials from Madrid and River Plate had secretly met to hash out terms for the young playmaker’s transfer. Headlines suggested a blockbuster agreement was already in the works, potentially seeing Mastantuono wear Madrid’s famous white kit soon. But River Plate came out swinging against those claims. “No formal talks. No offers. No handshake deals,” Brito said. For now, Mastantuono isn’t going anywhere, and River isn’t publicly interested in selling him—at least not yet.

This sort of mystery and maneuvering is nothing new in South American football, where clubs are often both sellers and defenders of their best rising stars. With Mastantuono’s contract running and a massive future buyout clause in place, River Plate has leeway to keep him longer—if they want to, or at least until a record-breaking offer comes along. Madrid, famous for their patience with young talent, could easily bide their time until 2025 when another approach might look more appealing for everyone involved.

Behind the scenes, big European clubs are very much on alert. Mastantuono ticks all the right boxes: technical skill, maturity far beyond his years, and attacking flair. He’s just the kind of player Madrid likes to sign early, nurture, and turn into a global star. But for now, River Plate is holding firm to their “no negotiations” line, trying to shield their teenager from the transfer vortex just a little longer.

Europe Keeps Watching as River Plate Holds Its Ground

So how will all this play out? If Mastantuono continues his rise in the River Plate starting eleven, it’s almost certain European offers will come back—possibly stronger, definitely more public. Madrid’s interest is no secret, but the timing has to be perfect. In football, these sagas tend to move slowly until, suddenly, they don’t.

For Mastantuono, all eyes remain focused on what he’ll do next in a River Plate shirt. Each good performance adds to his value and the pressure on the club’s decision-makers. For now, though, River’s president is setting the pace. No formal talks, no signed papers, and no rush to send another wonderkid to Europe before he’s fully ready for the next leap.

Plenty of clubs across Europe are keeping tabs. The market for young South American talent is exploding and River Plate’s midfield star is right at the center. All those headlines might not mean movement this summer, but don’t expect the speculation to stop—especially with Real Madrid’s reputation for making the big move just when you least expect it.