Man Utd trigger €45m clause for Argentina wonderkid Franco Mastantuono

Carlo Garganese

Updated: 29 Apr 2025 08:51 BST
3 min read

Franco Mastantuono, River Plate, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Manchester United have made an official offer for River Plate wonderkid Franco Mastantuono.

Article continues under the video

That is according to Soy del Millo, who report that Real Madrid and PSG have also placed bids for the 17-year-old sensation.

READ MORE: Man Utd top scorers 2024/25

Mastantuono is considered the most exciting young prospect to come out of Argentina for years.

The attacking midfielder hit the headlines at the weekend with a sensational goal for River Plate against rivals Boca Juniors. The teenager curled home a left-footed free-kick from around 30 yards into the top corner.

READ MORE: Latest Man Utd transfer news

Man Utd move for Mastantuono

United have been following Mastantuono for some time, and have now tabled an official offer for the player.

Mastantuono has a release clause in his River Plate contract worth €45 million that United are ready to pay.

United are focusing their transfer market going forward around young talents and see Mastantuono as fitting into that plan.

Mastanuono exploded onto the scene in Argentina last year when it emerged that he turned down interest from Real Madrid in favour of signing a new deal with River Plate.

He will not turn 18 until August and, therefore, cannot move permanently until that point.

17-year-old Franco Mastantuono with a potentially all-time great Superclásico golazo for @RiverPlate against Boca Juniors.pic.twitter.com/LHK7879PZL
— SCOUTED (@scoutedftbl) April 28, 2025

United, Madrid and PSG are not the only clubs interested in Mastantuono, with the likes of Arsenal, Inter, AC Milan among the other big teams who appreciate the player.

Real Madrid are still thought to hold an advantage over Mastantuono's other suitors as they have already held extensive talks with the teenager.

Madrid tried to bring in the playmaker last summer and they will make a new attempt this time around.

Mastantuono’s goal against Boca Juniors was the teenager’s fourth goal in 13 matches this season.

River Plate’s general secretary Stefano Di Carlo is adamant that the youngster will stay at least for the rest of this year at the club: “Mastantuono is staying at River Plate for the entire year, that’s a given.”

Whether or not the club or player will be able to resist the big-money offers that are coming in now remains to be seen.