River Plate president Rodolfo D'Onofrio is upset over reports of Real Madrid being in talks with Exequiel Palacios.

D'Onofrio indicated that he is both frustrated and astonished by Los Blancos's decision to bypass the Argentine club and directly negotiate with the player.

"Until now we thought it was all false, but it isn't, as we have confirmed this from the part of the representative," he told MARCA.

"It surprises us, if it is as it seems, that a stately institution like Real Madrid have acted in this negotiation directly with the football player, without respecting a club like River and behind our back.

"I already said it yesterday and I repeat it: I didn't expect it, this doesn't correspond with the historical ties that we have with Real Madrid, that come from the time of Don Alfredo Di Stefano until today."