Manchester United have reportedly contacted the representatives of 16-year-old River Plate wonderkid Franco Mastantuono, a target for Real Madrid.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Franco Mastantuono is the subject of interest from Manchester United. The Red Devils have initiated contacts with the representatives of the 16-year-old wonderkid. Meanwhile, the River Plate prodigy is a target for Real Madrid, with his contract having a release clause worth €45 million.
Franco Mastantuono and his skyrocketing stock
Franco Mastantuono has become the talk of the town in the last 12 months. A native of Azul, he began his youth career at his hometown club before joining Club Cemento seven years later. However, his fortunes have soared since moving to River Plate in 2019. Since then, the youngster has gone from strength to strength, establishing himself as a highly-rated whizkid.
The 16-year-old made his first-team debut for River Plate earlier this year, becoming the club’s third-youngest debutant. Mastantuono then broke the record for being River Plate’s youngest-ever goalscorer in February. The Argentine wonderkid has already turned out 17 times thus far for the first team, chipping in with two goals and one assist.
Meanwhile, Mastantuono’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of almost every high-profile club in Europe. A move to the Premier League or La Liga might be on the cards, with Manchester United and Real Madrid vying for his signature. Meanwhile, the young prospect has a release clause worth €45 million in his contract, although it will rise to €50 million in the final days of the transfer window.
Manchester United or Real Madrid: Where will he land?
Manchester United’s interest in Franco Mastantuono is understandable. The Red Devils are renowned for being a breeding ground for promising prospects, with academy graduates establishing a foothold in the first-team squad every year. They have now stepped up their efforts to sign the player, contacting his representatives.
However, Manchester United might be in a losing battle, as Mastantuono is keen on joining Real Madrid. The Merengues constantly scour the South American market for the brightest young prospects, with the outlook helping players like Federico Valverde, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo become cornerstones of their latest project.
A price tag of €45 million might seem steep. However, it will appear like a bargain if Mastantuono fulfils his potential. It will be interesting to see if Manchester United can turn the youngster’s head and compel him to move to Old Trafford instead of joining Real Madrid.
