Real Madrid have demonstrated in the relatively recent past that they are willing to tread where other, perhaps less-confident clubs wouldn’t dare. That they are willing to do deals that would have their rivals running for the hills.
Take Vinicius Junior for example; arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu as a largely unknown 16-year-old for nearly £40 million. Rodrygo Goes also set Real Madrid back an eye-watering sum while still a teenager, the success of their Brazilian duo encouraging Los Blancos to repeat the trick again with the one-man aura-machine that is Endrick.
But, even for Real, the £38 million release clause in the contract of one of Argentina’s brightest talents is maybe a little on the expensive side. Marca report that River Plate wonderkid Franco Mastantuono – who is the same age as Vinicius was when he moved to the Spanish capital from Flamengo – has been the subject of growing discussions with the perennial Champions League winners in recent weeks.
Manchester United face Real Madrid battle
There is interest from Manchester United, Barcelona and nearly every major club this side of the Atlantic. Including a Man City side who have already agreed a deal for fellow River starlet Claudio Echeverri.
Mastantuono also has an Italian passport, meaning he can move to Europe before his 18th birthday.
And while Real Madrid are reportedly leading the race as things stand, there are still a lot of hoops to jump through and a lot of agreements to be made. Marca reports that Real see Mastantuono’s 45 million euro clause as ‘excessive’.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are hoping to strike a deal at a lower fee, while offering River the chance to keep Mastantuono on loan until 2026 as something of a sweetener.
Now, with Inoes calling the shots and determined to make Old Trafford home to the game’s most exciting young talent, Man United are expected to make better use of the South American market. Mastantuono’s fellow Argentine Aaron Anselmino is liked by the Red Devils, alongside Palmeiras duo Thalys and Willian Estevao.
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Franco Mastantuono decision will be made soon
According to TYC Sports, via Scouts in Attendance, United have scouted Mastantuono too, amid comparisons with a player who remains one of the great missed opportunities of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
“He still has a long way to go and a lot to improve. He could be something similar to Angel Di Maria, a skilled and elegant left-footer,” Hermes Aldo Desio, the teenager’s youth coach at River Plate, tells Diario AS.
“In addition, he also likes to cut inside from the right wing (onto) his left foot.”
Mastantuono, who turns 17 in August, has featured in nine league games already this term. He scored in the Copa Libertadores too, with the River chief also drawing comparisons with Barcelona wonderkid and fellow-16-year-old Yamine Lamal.
“I highlight, above all, his daring and bravery,” Desio adds. “At this age, he is already in the first-team. He is very ambitious in front of the opposition goal and has a multitude of technical resources.
“He shoots from outside the area, has a good shot, dares to dribble at all times and also helps out defensively.
“Playing in River’s first-team at the age of 16 means that he has something different. Although he has not had very good matches in terms of his continuity in the game, we know that he has touches and flashes that can make a difference.
“Mastantuono has similar qualities to Yamal, such as dribbling and creativity.”
A decision over his next destination, Marca say, will be made soon.