The interest in Franco Mastantuono does not stop. To the list of great European clubs that already have it in the sights – as Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG and several Giants of the Premier League— Now Juventus has joinedone of the historical of series A. according to the Italian Sports Daily Tuttosport, Vecchia Signora has joined the fierce competition for staying with the new phenomenon that emerged in River Platewhich does not stop monopolizing international attention after their actions with just 17 years.
“The kid is already gold”, He titled the newspaper when referring to the talented albiceleste midfielder. The youth, who will turn 18 on August 14, has demonstrated unusual maturity for his age. With dribbling, technique and game vision, it remained in the center of the scene after his free kick against Boca in the last Superclassic. “His last feat that went viral in the world was the free kick Messi to beat Boca Juniors in the Superclassic, the most anticipated match in Argentina. A magic that has raised further the level of attention of the great clubs of the old continent. But we proceed in order,” described the aforementioned medium.
This level of exposure lit the alarms of the main waves of European football. Juventus sent emissaries to Buenos Aires a month ago to follow the youth closelywithin the framework of a series of visits that also included representatives of Inter and Milan. However, despite the interest, the medium warns that Italian clubs could have difficulty matching the economic proposals handled by England giants, such as Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Just the City, directed by Pep Guardiola, maintains an oiled link with River Plate from the transfer of Julián Álvarez in 2022 (they also closed that of the devil Echeverri). That relationship could represent an advantage if the club decides to advance the negotiation. In parallel, Atlético de Madrid and Diego Simeone also add to the list of interested parties, which reinforces the appeal of the offensive midfielder in Spain.
-River Plate has already set the price: the termination clause amounts to 45 million euros. With a current contract until 2026, the Argentine Club ensures a position of force before any negotiation attempt. Meanwhile, the player’s environment continues to bet on a progressive development of his career. As noted Tuttosportits priority is not a hurried exit or a transfer with rimbombant figures, but a solid sports project and according to its evolution.
In a similar line, the president of the institution, Jorge Brito, expressed himself after the praise of Javier Zanetti, one of the main heads of the Inter, when speaking of Mastantuono. “Franco is a player to the proof of every football taste. You have to keep calm, understand that he is 17 years old. Understand that he has no trouble, that River is not trouble. I believe that the best thing to do when something is in full growth is to let it continue to grow and not touch anything. I think you have to be careful and not give you more pressures”, Said in dialogue with ESPN.
For now, Mastantuono continues his way in River, where he debuted in the First Division under the driving of Martín Demichelis and became a key piece since the return of Marcelo Gallardo. However, the stained glass window that will be the Club World Cup could accelerate some maneuver by any of the interested party of the old continent.
The steering wheel, which at the beginning of the year stood out in the South American Sub 20 with the National Team, has 14 games so far this season with the millionaire, in which he contributed four goals and gave three assists.
