Premier League giants get MAJOR update on €45m ‘next Enzo Fernandez’

Robin Bairner

• 6 Jan 2025 05:30 CST
• 3 min read

A major transfer update on the future of River Plate wonderkid Facundo Mastantuono has landed, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal among the clubs following the talented teenager.

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.

Dubbed as the ‘next Enzo Fernandez’ the hype around the youngster has not died down, with Premier League clubs circling over a player who has a release clause in his contract worth €45 million.

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

While Real Madrid have now decided that they no longer want to pay that figure for the 17-year-old Argentine, Chelsea, Arsenal and Man Utd are all still following the midfielder closely, according to AS.

No deal is expected for now but given that Mastantuono, who has played 41 times for River Plate, scoring three and creating another three, will not turn 18 until August and, therefore, cannot move permanently until that point, this is perhaps no surprise.

An unnamed source close to the deal said: “There is nothing concrete and there won’t be in winter. We will have to wait until summer. Many have started conversations, but nothing concrete.”

Who wants to sign Facundo Mastantuono?

Interest in Mastantuono is spread beyond Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea.

PSG are following the teenager’s progress in France, while Milan and Inter are both tracking him from Serie A.

Although Real Madrid may have cooled their plans on signing him due to his €45m release fee – which rises to €50m in the final 10 days of any transfer window – Mastantuono could still wind up in LaLiga.

Barcelona are following the progress of the player, yet their financial issues mean that they will have to renegotiate the clause, with a fixed amount up front and the rest in variables. To make this a more appetising approach for River Plate, these bonuses could add up to more than his release fee.