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Liverpool are poised for a transformative summer transfer window,  fresh from securing contract extensions for Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.

First up on the menu will undoubtedly be replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold in some capacity, whether it’s a back-up for Conor Bradley or someone to directly compete with the Northern Ireland international.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s impending free transfer to Real Madrid has forced Liverpool into proactive planning, with Jeremie Frimpong identified as a player who would be open to joining the Reds according to David Ornstein.

While defensive reinforcements may take priority, Liverpool’s scouting network has zeroed in on Franco Mastantuono, River Plate’s 17-year-old attacking midfielder.

Argentinian journalist Marcelo Benedetto initially linked the Reds to the teenage sensation.

Real Madrid have also been credited with an interest in the player.

Mastantuono made history at River Plate as their third-youngest debutant and later became their youngest-ever goal-scorer, further cementing his reputation as one of Argentina’s brightest prospects.

In August 2023, Mastantuono signed his first professional contract with River Plate, which initially featured a €30 million release clause.

Due to his rapid progress and growing reputation, this clause has since been increased to €45 million.

Now, according to local outlet La Pagina Millonaria, Manchester United have made the first step out of all the interested parties by tabling a formal offer to River Plate.

The English club was reportedly prepared to meet the €45 million release clause but proposed paying the fee in installments, a condition River Plate firmly rejected.

Mastantuono himself is not in a rush to leave River Plate, as he is holding onto his dream of playing for Real Madrid.

But the report claims he would consider offers from other top-tier clubs of similar stature, such as Bayern Munich, Liverpool, or Barcelona.

Both the player and River Plate’s management share the goal of keeping him at the club at least until the end of the year, allowing him to participate in the Club World Cup and the full Copa Libertadores campaign.

With his contract running until December 2026, River Plate is determined not to let him go easily and insists that any interested club must pay the full release clause upfront, without negotiating alternative payment terms.

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