Man City look to 'blow' Real Madrid move for River Plate teenager

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

0 1 minute read

Manchester City are hoping to step up and snatch Argentine teenager Franco Mastantuono from the clutches of Real Madrid, according to reports in Spain.

The 16-year-old has been widely linked with 15-time Champions League winners Madrid since the start of the year, with an agreement on a future transfer already mooted by some local media.

Mastantuono has a £45 million release clause in his contract with River Plate – standard procedure these days for some of South America's brightest young talents – but Madrid have not formally agreed to pay that amount to the Argentinian giants.

Spanish publication SPORT report that Madrid have already agreed personal terms with Mastantuono's representatives, with negotiations being led by the club's renowned recruitment manager Juni Calafat.

But Manchester City have reportedly entered the race at the 11th hour, aiming to “blow up” the Madrid transfer, and are hoping to build on their past relationship with River Plate to facilitate a move to the Premier League.

Julian Alvarez joined City from River Plate in 2022 / Alex Livesey – Danehouse/GettyImages

City bought Julian Alvarez from River in 2022 – he joined before becoming a World Cup winner with Argentina – and he will be joined by Claudio Echeverri next year after a deal worth 15 million was concluded earlier this year.

Mastantuono could be next in line, should City's recruitment team spring into action, but it remains to be seen whether or not the player would prefer to join the Premier League champions, or whether he would like to join Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior at Real Madrid.

Carlo Ancelotti's side have targeted some of the world's best young players in recent years, signing Bellingham, Vinicius, Eduardo Camavinga, Rodrygo and Aurelien Tchouameni, and struck gold again to sign Brazilian prodigy Endrick from Palmeiras.

The small forward will head to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer after turning 18, having potentially played a starring role for Brazil in this summer's Copa America.