Following Nico Williams’ surprising decision, another player has turned down Barcelona and is now seeking a move to Real Madrid.

Barcelona are working to enhance their squad to compete with Real Madrid, who aim to win all major titles in the coming years. However, their financial limitations prevent them from covering transfer fees, salaries, and player registrations, which made it challenging for them to sign Nico Williams—who they had initially thought was a certainty but ultimately did not join.
According to Defensa Central, Real Madrid is leading in securing young talents, as many players prefer to join what they consider the best club in the world. Recently, they contacted the agent of Franco Mastrantuono, a rising star from River Plate in Argentina, and he was unequivocal in his response: “I want to play for Real Madrid.”
The young Argentine midfielder is not considering Barcelona’s offer, as he has always dreamed of joining Real Madrid. While his transfer to the royal club is currently on hold, it could be triggered soon, depending on the team’s situation and the player’s performance in the coming months. Although some members of Real Madrid are enthusiastic about him, they have not yet committed to signing him, partly due to his release clause of 45 million euros, which they find excessive at the moment.Real Madrid continues to focus on securing young talents to maintain their dominance in European football, a strategy that seems to be paying off, especially in comparison to rivals like Barcelona. Barcelona, despite their storied history, faces significant financial constraints that limit their ability to compete for top players. This has become evident in their recent struggles to sign Nico Williams and now in their pursuit of Franco Mastrantuono, a promising midfielder from River Plate.
Mastrantuono, highly regarded in Argentina, has caught the attention of both Spanish giants. However, he has made it clear that his dream is to play for Real Madrid, dismissing Barcelona’s interest. Real Madrid, known for attracting top young talent, is keen on the player but hesitant due to his steep €45 million release clause. While they monitor his progress, the transfer could be delayed until they reassess their squad needs and the player’s development.
This situation underscores the contrasting positions of Real Madrid and Barcelona. While Madrid leverages its financial strength and global appeal to secure emerging stars, Barcelona struggles with financial limitations that hinder their ability to compete in the transfer market. As a result, Real Madrid continues to build a formidable squad aimed at dominating European football for years to come.