River Plate have consistently developed some of the best players in Argentine football. And it looks like one of them has managed to catch the eye of Real Madrid. Los Blancos are not the only ones looking to sign him though, with the likes of FC Barcelona, Manchester City, FC Barcelona and more rumoured to be interested. But Carlo Ancelotti's side appear to have taken the lead for his signature.
The player in question is River Plate's Franco Mastantuono. At 16 years of age, he is already playing senior level football for the Argentine club and has scored a couple of goals as well.
Understandably, he is being considered the next big thing in Argentine football and some of Europe's best teams have taken notice. It would take a considerable transfer fee to sign Mastantuono though. There is believed to be a €45 million release clause in his contract, which reaches €50 million for the last ten days of each window.
As reported by SPORT, Real Madrid has pressed the accelerator and has taken the lead in the race to sign Mastantuono. There have already been two meetings between the clubs. At the moment, there is no official offer.
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With Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in the twilight of their legendary careers and Dani Ceballos' future in doubt, it is not hard to see why Real Madrid are keeping an eye on Mastantuono. Argentina has continuously produced some of the best footballers in the world and he could be next in line.
Of course, it remains to be seen whether the club would be open to shelling out a significant transfer fee to sign someone with very little experience in the senior game. They have done so in the past with players like Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Endrick and more.
FC Barcelona are believed to be interested in signing Mastantuono as well. But their financial situation definitely hands Real Madrid an advantage in any transfer race.