Argentinian asterisk Franco Mastantuono quickly appears as one of the smartest prospects in world football after he is blinding for river plate only 17 years old and Manchester United would follow him
Manchester United is a blow after being told that River Plate Wonderkid Franco Mastantuono will stay at the Argentinian club for the rest of 2025. The 17-year-old midfielder is seen as one of the most appreciated prospects in football and has already scored three times in 15 performances for the club this season.
Mastantuono would have admirers at Real Madrid after his striking displays, but United has now become a member of the race for the signature of the young person, according to Goal, as Ruben Amorim is revising his team this summer.
It is believed that he has a release clause that has now risen to £ 42 million and every move to Europe will be made easier because it is eligible for an Italian passport thanks to his grandmother.
But the hope of every club to sign Mastantuono this summer is now interrupted by River Plate's vice president Stefano di Carlo.
Di Carlo was asked if Mastantuono would stay at the club for the rest of the calendar year and he replied: “Yes, yes. That is already a certainty.”
In general, Mastantuono has six goals and five assists in 53 trips for the Argentinian outfit and will appear this summer on the newly revamped FIFA Club World Cup in the United States this summer – so that he would also have to put in the shop window for other clubs.
Some media in Argentina have compared Mastantuono with Phil Foden thanks to his explosive and energetic playing style. He already turned his heads by taking an incredible free kick against bitter rivals Boca Juniors – who broke out in the far corner of about 30 meters.
Mastantuono can already be seen in the Argentina U17 and U20S and his potential has been noticed by fellow countryman and Chelsea star Enzo Fernandes, who tipped him for a move to Europe in the near future.
Fernandez said: “He shows that he has a European future. You can see it. He is an incredible player. He is doing very well and has shown a lot of talent. In my opinion he is a star. I wish him the best and hope he can achieve all his goals. Hopefully he can help us in the national team.”
His manager Marcelo Gallardo is also enthusiastic about the player's potential after he had seen him score his perfectly free kick – while he also said that he would “not” leave “.
“We have to support him; he takes his first steps,” Gallardo said. “The markets are dynamic and the financial power is strong … He is a player who inspires an enormous enthusiasm for his young age.
“He is a child who has his feet firmly on the floor, but it is not a bad idea to feel that he must continue to grow. We want him to continue to develop and grows as a football player and as a person. That (his departure of the club) will not happen quickly.
“Franco is not the leader of the river; he is just another player who fits and, with his free spirit, creates what he creates. That is very valuable. He also embraces physical qualities that are very well equipped for a 17-year-old. He is in a constant learning process: just like he does impressive things, he can also learn how to teach.”
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