by Franco Mastantuono, River Plate’s latest prodigy, has caught the attention of European powerhouses — and Manchester United appears ready to strike. According to The Sun, the Premier League giants are considering activating the Argentine midfielder’s €45 million release clause in the upcoming transfer window.
The 17-year-old is quickly becoming one of the hottest young names in world football. After scoring a stunning goal in River’s 3–0 win over Gimnasia, his performances have ignited interest across Europe. While Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, and Inter Milan have all been linked to the player, it’s United that seems most likely to make a formal move.
The Sun reported that the Red Devils may pay £38 million — nearly $50 million — to secure Mastantuono ahead of the 2025 Club World Cup. English media have dubbed him “the Argentine Phil Foden,” due to his left-footed finesse, set-piece accuracy, and dribbling ability.
Despite the growing buzz, River hopes to retain Mastantuono at least until the end of 2026. However, club officials acknowledge the challenge of resisting such massive offers. The message out of Núñez remains firm: any club interested must meet the full buyout clause, with no room for negotiation.
Mastantuono, who has already made 52 senior appearances, ranks among the top U17 players globally in minutes played, according to CIES Football Observatory. Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has also hinted at a future national team call-up, further underlining the youngster’s extraordinary trajectory.
