Real Madrid take ‘step back’ from leading transfer target | OneFootball

La Liga giants Real Madrid have come to the decision to pull the plug, for the time being, on their pursuit of a player once considered as a lock to take his talents to the Spanish capital.

The player in question? Franco Mastantuono.

The name of midfielder Mastantuono of course took its place front and centre in the headlines in Madrid for some time earlier this summer.

As much came after reports stemming from the 17-year-old’s home country of Argentina confirmed that the powers that be at the Santiago Bernabéu had identified Mastantuono as a prime target.

Such claims were quickly followed by further suggestions that a transfer for the starlet could be considered as all but guaranteed.

And yet, with the transfer deadline having now come and gone, Mastantuono remains a River Plate player.

So, what exactly happened?

An insight into as much has on Sunday been provided, by Madrid-based outlet Marca:

‘Franco Mastantuono is one of those perfect examples where haste and leaks work against a possible operation.’

The understanding stemming from the Santiago Bernabéu is that the Real Madrid brass became hugely frustrated by the constant leaks emerging in the media regarding their efforts to bring in Mastantuono.

So much so that, despite several trips to Buenos Aires, in a conscious effort to make clear their demands that transfer talks be carried out in silence, Los Merengues have taken a ‘step back’, no longer actively pursuing a deal for the Argentine sensation.

Conor Laird | GSFN