Franco Mastantuono, getty images December 29, 2025, 09:33

Italian Napoli approached Real Madrid about the possibility of loaning midfielder Franco Mastantuono in January, but received a categorical refusal. This is reported by Marca.

Napoli is forced to look for reinforcements in the midfield due to serious personnel problems. Kevin De Bruyne, Andre-Franc Zambo Angissa, Andre Frank and Billy Gilmour were sidelined through injuries. Furthermore, the club’s financial constraints mean that any new signings are only possible through sales, so the Neapolitans are looking at loan options.

However, in Madrid they are not even ready to discuss Mastantuono’s temporary departure. Real paid around €60m for the 18-year-old Argentine, signing him from River Plate in the summer after competition from Paris Saint-Germain.

Mastantuono had already managed to score his debut goal in the match against Levante, but in early November his progress was hampered by a groin injury. Despite this, the management of Real Madrid is sure that the footballer should stay in the team at least until the end of the season in order to adapt to European football without a loan to Napoli.