River Plate's president has spoken out about the likely sale of the team's star to Real Madrid

All summer the media have been buzzing that Real Madrid are about to formalise the transfer of Argentine River Plate midfielder Frank Mastantuono. But the president of the South American grandee Jorge Brito is appealing for calm.

He has denied any talks with Real bosses about selling the 17-year-old Argentine star to the Argentine team:

‘There have been no talks with Real over Mastantuono, I can assure you. Not with Florentino Perez or anyone else. It was a meeting for other reasons.

The player is very calm and very happy at Rivera. We believe that this process should not be rushed. He is in full development, he is 17 years old. Neither the player nor we are in a hurry for him to leave.

I think we have to appreciate him and realise we have a great gem who I have no doubt will leave on the day he has to leave. ‘Today is a time for him to think about Rivera’, Brito said for ESPN.

It was previously reported that Mastantuono is close to a move to Real Madrid, with River Plate set to receive €25 million for his talent.