Liverpool Tracking Argentinian Wonderkid but Face Competition | OneFootball

Liverpool Eye Argentine Prodigy Franco Mastantuono Amid Summer Revamp

As Liverpool begin sketching the outlines of what could be a transformative summer window, their gaze has turned sharply towards South America. With the winds of change expected to sweep through Anfield in the coming months, the club’s interest in River Plate’s Franco Mastantuono offers a revealing glimpse into their long-term planning.

Spotlight on South American Talent

Liverpool’s recruitment model, spearheaded by new sporting director Richard Hughes, appears to be expanding its global reach with renewed intensity. While reinforcements in defence remain the most pressing need, there’s an evident hunger to secure elite-level potential before it becomes unattainable.

According to seasoned Argentine journalist Marcelo Benedetto, “Liverpool is interested in River Plate star Franco Mastantuono and is closely monitoring his situation ahead of the June transfer window.”

Such monitoring, when coming from a club as meticulous as Liverpool, rarely happens by chance. At just 17 years old, Mastantuono has already made 41 first-team appearances for River Plate — a staggering feat in the pressure cooker of Argentine football.

The Rise of Franco Mastantuono

Born in the small city of Azul on 14 August 2007, the 180cm tall left-footed playmaker has charted a meteoric rise since joining River Plate’s academy in 2019. By August 2023, his development was rewarded with a professional contract, initially anchored by a €30 million release clause. That valuation has since jumped to €45 million, a clear reflection of his growing stature.

He’s a player who demands the ball in tight pockets, weaving through spaces with the kind of elegance associated with Argentina’s most celebrated playmakers. Mastantuono is not just a promise of the future – he’s already made history. As River Plate’s third-youngest debutant and their youngest-ever goal-scorer, his impact has been both early and emphatic.

His international trajectory underlines the point further. Called up to Argentina’s U17s at just 14, he had already stepped into the U20 squad by 16. This is a player being fast-tracked at every level, and for good reason.

European Giants Circle

It’s no surprise that Liverpool aren’t alone in their interest. According to reports, both Manchester clubs have “thought about” a move for the teenager, while Inter Milan are “set to make an offer through intermediaries” – a testament to Mastantuono’s rising stock.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, were long-time admirers. They had hoped to follow the blueprint they used with Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, and Endrick, targeting Mastantuono for a move upon turning 18. But that path has cooled following the player’s new deal with River Plate, likely due to the heightened release clause.

Long-Term Thinking at Liverpool

If Liverpool were to trigger the clause – reportedly now around €40 million – it would represent a bold statement of intent. It’s a significant outlay for someone still classified as a teenager, but in a market where elite creators are few and fiercely fought over, it may prove to be a shrewd investment.

The signing would also align with the club’s evolving transfer strategy. As the post-Klopp era takes shape under Arne Slot and Richard Hughes, the vision seems to involve blending tried-and-tested quality with next-generation talent. Franco Mastantuono, should Liverpool win the race for his signature, could become the kind of player around whom futures are built rather than just inherited.