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Liverpool have joined the race for one of South America’s most exciting young midfielders — but his ambitions may already be steering him elsewhere.

As the summer window approaches, Europe’s biggest clubs are circling.

And in the end, it won’t come down to who moves first — it’ll come down to who the player wants, and who he’s willing to wait for.

This young attacking midfielder is the kind of left-footed creator who would fit into Anfield’s long-term rebuild under Arne Slot.

Someone who plays between the lines, keeps the ball in tight areas, and already has a big-stage mentality.

He showed it in his country’s biggest game.

He showed it with a free-kick in front of over 80,000 fans.

And on that day, Liverpool weren’t the only ones watching.

But what the player wants is becoming clearer.

Franco Mastantuono, River Plate’s 17-year-old wonderkid, is not just another name on Liverpool’s transfer shortlist — he’s one of the most talked-about prospects in South America.

He’s already made 56 senior appearances and was once called up to Argentina’s U17s at just 14.

By 16, he was in the U20s.

Last weekend, Mastantuono starred in the Superclásico against Boca Juniors, scoring a stunning free-kick in River’s 2-1 win.

After the game, he said, “I’m committed here at River, we have a lot of things ahead of us and I want to continue enjoying myself here.

We’re going to try to help him continue developing as a player and as a person.”

According to BOLAVIP, despite interest from Manchester United, PSG, and Inter Milan, Mastantuono has made his preference clear.

He has “no desire to play in France” and dreams of playing for Real Madrid.

He is “willing to wait” for the Spanish giants and would only consider a club of similar level “if Real Madrid doesn’t make a move.”

For Liverpool, it means any move will be uphill.

The Reds are monitoring him closely ahead of the June window.

But they know — as it stands — his heart is already set on Madrid.

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