Real Madrid and Paris-Saint Germain appear to have leapfrogged Manchester United in the hunt for Franco Mastantuono with the two European heavyweights set to “battle” to sign the Argentinian wonderkid, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Mastantuono, 17, has emerged as one of the hottest prospects in South America after a series impressive performances for River Plate. The attacking midfielder possesses a poise and proficiency with the ball which belies his age and has drawn comparisons to Manchester City star Phil Foden.
Mastantuono’s contract with River Plate contains a release clause worth around £41 million – a considerable fee for a young player, but one it looks like top clubs in Europe feel is worth paying.
United were reported to have held talks with Mastantuono’s representatives in May after technical director Jason Wilcox pushed for the club to target the 17-year-old prodigy.
Premier League rivals Chelsea and Liverpool, as well as City, are also believed to have made advances around this time.
A report relayed by The Peoples Person then revealed Mastantuono was willing to “wait” to seal a dream move to Madrid, despite United holding two separate meetings over signing the youngster.
But a separate update in April indicated the Red Devils were preparing to “blow their rivals out of the water” with their opening bid for the 17-year-old.
However, there was a twist in the tale last week after PSG made an explosive entry into the race with manager Luis Enrique personally contacting Mastantuono to “try and get the deal over the line”.
The French and European champions would be willing to pay the starlet’s release clause then loan him back to River Plate until December, according to the report.
But Romano now reveals Madrid have re-entered the fray after making an approach to both the player and his club, effectively making it a two-way “battle” with PSG and ending any hope United retained in securing the “next Messi“.
🚨🇦🇷 Real Madrid have made approach with both Franco Mastantuono’s camp and also River Plate.
Mastantuono’s dream since he was a kid is joining Real Madrid, now time for the negotiations. 💭⚪️
Real Madrid and PSG are in a battle to get the deal done. pic.twitter.com/IY2me3SGAG
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 4, 2025
Tweet: “Real Madrid have made approach with both Franco Mastantuono’s camp and also River Plate. Mastantuono’s dream since he was a kid is joining Real Madrid, now time for the negotiations. Real Madrid and PSG are in a battle to get the deal done.”
The Italian transfer guru reiterates that a move to the Santiago Bernabeu is Mastantuono’s “dream since he was a kid” and, generally, when Los Blancos locks onto a South American prospect it ends only one way – a switch to the Spanish capital.
Featured image Marcelo Endelli via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
