'Next Enzo Fernandez' snubs Real Madrid to set new RECORD

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 18 Mar 2024 11:35 GMT
• 4 min read

Real Madrid target Franco Mastantuono is set to snub transfer interest from Los Blancos in favour of signing a new contract at River Plate.

The 16-year-old midfielder is regarded as one of Argentina’s most promising youngsters and he has been heavily linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu in recent weeks.

Barcelona have also been credited with interest, but Mastantuono is set to sign a new deal at his boyhood club instead of sealing a big-money move to LaLiga.

His new contract at River Plate will include a €45 million release clause, which will rise to €50m in the final 10 days of any transfer window. As a result, Mastantuono is set to have the largest release clause in Argentine football.

READ MORE: Real Madrid find new No.1 goalkeeper

What has been said?

Spanish journalist Cesar Luis Merlo has reported: “River Plate have agreed to renew the contract and shield Franco Mastantuono, who will now have the highest termination clause in Argentine football.

“It will be €45m and, 10 days before the closing of the pass book (end of the transfer window), it will rise to €50M. The link includes a salary increase and is until December 2026. It will be completed in the coming days.”

This information has also been backed up by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, and an official announcement is expected in the coming days.

READ MORE: Arsenal to repeat Odegaard trick with Real Madrid star forced out by Mbappe

Mastantuono’s previous contract ran until 2025 and had a release clause of roughly €27.5m included. However, River Plate have taken drastic action amid increasing transfer attention.

Mastantuono has made 10 senior appearances for River Plate, scoring one goal, and he has been tipped to become the club's latest academy graduate to move to Europe, following in the footsteps of Claudio Echeverri, Enzo Fernandez and Julian Alvarez.

Although Real Madrid are set to miss out on the 16-year-old, they are expected to sign Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe this summer. Furthermore, Alphonso Davies and Leny Yoro have also been named as priority transfer targets, with the latter recently admitting his desire to play for Los Blancos.