River Plate Adolescent Franco Mastantuono is attracting interest from top clubs around Europe – including Manchester United and Chelsea.
The 17-year-old offensive midfielder, considered one of the most promising talents in Argentina, is being followed by a host of Premier League clubs.
Barcelona are also admirers of Mastantuono, while Atletico Madrid have already traveled to Buenos Aires to see it live.
Mastantuono, who turns 18 in August, has a € 45m (€ 38m) release clause, the highest in the history of the Argentine club, and his contract lasts until 2026.
The President of the Jorge Brito River has no pressure to sell as it oversees a profit of 46 million for the club in last season’s financial results.
Mastantuono is only the latest recent talent to come from the famous River Academy after Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea and Julian Alvarez of Atletico, who were among six graduates from the club’s youth system in the 2022 Argentine World Cup victory.
Since the city it has signed that Claudio Eraverri from the river after the history of Alvarez’s success and the 19-year-old is now training with the Pep Guardiola’s squad after being re-sent to the deal shortly after the deal was sealed.
Mastantuono, who became the club’s newest scorer in just 16 years, five months and 25 days in February 2024, has set to play a key role for River in the World Club World Cup this summer in Miami.
MAS monumental of the river is expected to have a record participation in Superclasico this Sunday
He is also determined to star this Sunday when the Boca Juniors River host in Superclasico, widely regarded as one of the fiercest rivalries in world football.
A record participation for a sports event in Argentina is expected for the Argentinean League match after the monumental MAS renovated extended the capacity of the River Stadium to 85.018. River has an impressive home record in the derby, losing only one of the last six repetitions.
Mastantuono is not alien to these major cases, as he has already created a leading role in River’s first team since he made his debut in late January 2024 to become the third youngest player in the club.
The left foot midfielder has three goals and two assists in 11 appearances in all competitions this season.
