A young Argentine player is being courted by Manchester United, and according to a source, the Red Devils are attempting to prevent him from joining Real Madrid.
Two of the biggest teams in the world, Real Madrid and Manchester United, are constantly searching for players of the highest caliber. Los Blancos and the Red Devils are both eager to bolster their squads during the summer transfer window and contend for championships the following year.
In addition to looking to acquire well-established players for quick success, Manchester United and Real Madrid also search for up-and-coming players in South America.
While Madrid signed Brazilian attacker Endrick in December 2022 and brought him to the Santiago Bernabeu last summer, Manchester United sealed a deal earlier this year for Paraguayan youth Diego Leon.
Franco Mastantuono is another South American talent who may soon be traveling to Europe.
One of Argentina’s most promising young players, the River Plate midfielder has made a name for himself in Marcelo Gallardo’s squad.
In April 2025, Chelsea and Argentina international midfielder Enzo Fernandez called the left-footed 17-year-old, who has scored four goals and provided four assists in his last seven games, “an incredible player” and “a star” on ESPN Argentina.
On April 29, Fraser Fletcher, TEAMtalk’s transfer correspondent, revealed that Mastantuono is attracting interest from both Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Chelsea is also monitoring the teenager, according to sources who spoke to TEAMtalk.
The prodigy wants to join Real Madrid, but no deal will be finalized until 2026, according to journalist Graeme Bailey, who has now disclosed that Manchester United is in negotiations with him.
“United has spoken to his people this week,” Bailey said to United in Focus. The problem with Mastantuono, though, is that even though he turns 18 in August, I’ve been told he won’t be relocating until 2026.
“United are in the running, but the plan wasn’t for him to move this summer anyway. Real Madrid are in the driving seat, but United are not out of the equation.
“I don’t think anyone will pay his €45m (£38m) release clause, though. But he really does want to join Madrid, however, we will have to see because there isn’t really room for him at Madrid.
“But over the last 10 days, United have definitely held talks with him. Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool are also interested.”
Franco Mastantuono is a generational talent
Former River and Argentina international midfielder Matias Almeyda has been hugely impressed with Mastantuono and has suggested that he is a generational talent.
Almeyda told Argentine radio station DSports earlier this month: “Another Maradona or another Messi will unlikely emerge, but another player will come.
“After Maradona, people said that there would never be another like him, and then Messi appeared, and I think that after Messi, another one will appear, and his name is Franco Mastantuono.
“There are many kids who won’t be equal to those two, but they will be at another level. We’re a breeding ground for very good players.”
River manager Gallardo said: “What we have to do is support him; he’s a kid who has his feet on the ground, but it’s not a bad idea to support him and make him feel like he has to keep growing.”
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