Real Madrid shut the door on Napoli! The Madrid side blocked the transfer of Argentine wonderkid Franco Mastantuono

Italian side Napoli attempted to lure rising Real Madrid star Franco Mastantuono, but suffered a setback in the transfer market.

Details: Napoli's hierarchy contacted the agent of Real Madrid's Argentine midfielder Franco Mastantuono to gather information and assess the feasibility of a potential move. According to respected insider Ekrem Konur, the Naples-based club wanted to test the waters for a possible collaboration, but negotiations hit a dead end right from the start.

The dialogue failed to progress due to Napoli's financial restrictions and the Spanish giants' firm stance. Madrid made it clear from the outset that they were prepared to discuss only a short-term loan without either an option or an obligation to buy the player's rights, as the club's hierarchy sees the midfielder as a long-term asset.

Franco Mastantuono is regarded as one of the most gifted playmakers of the new generation of Argentine football, having already made a name for himself at River Plate. Real Madrid highly rate the 19-year-old midfielder's technical ability, dribbling and football intelligence, while completely ruling out his sale to direct rivals on the European stage.

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