Madrid Rebuffs Napoli: No January Loan for Real Madrid’s Young Star Mastantuno

Madrid blocks Napoli loan bid

A Spanish press report has named the club that explored luring Argentine forward Franco Mastantuno from Real Madrid during the January transfer window.

According to Marca, Napoli inquired about taking Mastantuno on loan, but Real Madrid has been unequivocal in keeping him for the season to allow his European transition to unfold.

The Italian club’s interest comes as they search for midfield reinforcements amid injuries to key players, while their budget constraints push them toward loans or sales to fund new arrivals.

Madrid’s stance is clear: there will be no loan for Mastantuno this season, and no return to Napoli for the youngster who was signed from River Plate last summer for about €60 million, as Madrid and PSG battled for his signature. The 18-year-old has already scored his first goal against Levante, though a thigh injury in November slowed his progress.

Madrid remains confident Mastantuno will adapt to European football this season and will not entertain a temporary move away to Napoli.

Madrid’s winter plan seems to be to keep the teenager and monitor his development, rather than fragment his progress with a short-term loan.

As reported by Marca, Napoli’s inquiry was linked to an intention to bolster their midfield, especially after injuries sidelined players like Kevin De Bruyne, André Frank Zambo Anguissa, and Billy Gilmour. With budget controls in place, any new signings would likely come from player sales, hence the push for loans to strengthen the squad.

Real Madrid paid around €60 million to sign Mastantuno from River Plate last summer, in a high-profile move that underscored the club’s desire to secure young talents. The Argentina-born youngster is only 18 and has not yet become a regular first-team fixture, despite his early promise with a goal against Levante. For now, Madrid insists he will stay with the first team to continue his development in European football.

Punchline time: Madrid’s answer to Napoli’s loan request was as firm as a well-topped buffed trophy—no room for “temporary housing” for this project. Second line, because good pigeons never miss: if Mastantuno ends up thriving, Napoli might have to loan a map to find where his career is headed, because Madrid has the compass only.