Chelsea dealt HAMMER blow in wonderkid pursuit

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 10 May 2024 13:48 BST
• 4 min read

Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing River Plate wonderkid Franco Mastantuono, but the 16-year-old wants to join Real Madrid instead.

The Argentine midfielder has emerged as one of the most talented South American youngsters in recent months and he has attracted significant transfer interest from numerous top European sides.

Mastantuono has made 11 appearances for River Plate’s first-team, scoring two goals, and he has been tipped for a European move over the past few months.

READ MORE: Who is Franco Mastantuono? The €45m River Plate wonderkid wanted by Real Madrid

Chelsea are one of several clubs to have enquired about Mastantuono, according to Spanish journalist Matteo Moretto, but the teenager is focused on securing a big-money move to Real Madrid.

As per Moretto, negotiations between River Plate and Los Blancos are only in their initial stages and nothing is advanced as things stand, however. Real Madrid want to sign Mastantuono, but his €45 million release clause is seen as slightly hefty at the moment.

This could present an opportunity for Chelsea, or someone else, to swoop, however Mastantuono is determined to secure a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, meaning any other interested party will face an uphill battle to land him.

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Real Madrid already have a stacked crop of young midfielders on their books, with Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Arda Guler all joining the club over the past few seasons.

Chelsea close to Estevao

Chelsea have identified a new transfer strategy since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital arrived in 2022, with the Blues almost exclusively signing players under the age of 25.

This trend is set to continue this summer and they are closing in on an agreement to sign Palmeiras wonderkid Estevao, according to multiple reports.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Chelsea have agreed personal terms with the 17-year-old, while talks with Palmeiras are in an advanced stage. The west London club have reportedly offered an initial fee of €35m, plus an additional €25m in potential add-ons.