Franco Mastantuono is one of the most sought-after players in all of football, with Liverpool one of the clubs chasing the 17-year-old.

The River Plate teenager has earned headlines across the world this season after becoming the youngest goalscorer in the Argentine giant’s history, with Mastantuono going viral last month after scoring a sensational free-kick in the Superclasico against Boca Juniors.

With Liverpool interested in signing Mastantuono, the attacking midfielder looks set to move to Europe when he turns 18, though the Reds face strong interest from the usual suspects in the game in Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and of course, Real Madrid.

And Mastantuono now has a transfer preference in mind when it comes to which club he wants to join between Liverpool and Madrid.

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According to La Pagina Millonaria, Mastantuono has prioritised joining Madrid over any club, though a lack of an offer from Los Blancos could lead to the Argentine teenager joining a club like Liverpool if a bid were to be made.

As per the report, Manchester United were willing to make an offer for Mastantuono that involved paying the youngster’s release clause with a number of installments, a transfer proposal that River Plate flat out rejected.

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With Madrid close to signing Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, the Spanish giants also beating the Reds to Mastantuono would be yet another blow for Arne Slot’s side, who could miss out on a promising target to the European champions once again.

However, given what Liverpool need to do this summer in the market, missing out on a wonderkid like Mastantuono could be for the best, with the Anfield side needing multiple new signings if they’re to challenge for the Premier League title next season.

With Jamie Carragher suggesting that Liverpool need six new signings this summer, the Reds are set for their biggest transfer splurge in some years having made just one new permanent addition last year in Federico Chiesa.

And for as talented and promising Mastantuono is, the 17-year-old will not offer Liverpool much next season given that the River Plate star can’t legally move to Europe until he turns 18, with funds needed now to help flesh out the squad.

As a result, Liverpool might have to bite the bullet with Mastantuono if Madrid make a move for the youngster this summer, with the Reds having bigger problems in the squad than trying to recruit one of the world’s best prospects.


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