Real Madrid leading Barcelona in race for Franco Mastantuono | OneFootball

The powers that be at La Liga giants Real Madrid are ready to face off with arch rivals Barcelona for the signature of one of South American football’s next breakthrough talents.

That’s according to TNT Sports Argentina, who have on Tuesday provided an insight into the latest developments behind the scenes in Spain’s capital.

Real, it is understood, have set their sights on the services of River Plate sensation Franco Mastantuono.

Mastantuono, for his part, is a versatile 16-year-old midfielder, capable of lining out in either a central role, or on the wing.

His name has proven a prominent one in the headlines in his home country of Argentina for some time now, after Mastantuono established himself as the youngest player to ever feature in the famed Superclásico, between River and arch rivals Boca Juniors.

Such exploits gave rise to widespread speculation, that Deco and the board at Barcelona have earmarked the youngster as a chief target moving forward.

In turn, it will no doubt come as a source of concern for the Blaugrana to hear that, this week, their most bitter rivals have too positioned themselves in the race for Mastantuono.

As per the aforementioned TNT Sports, Real Madrid are ‘very closely’ following developments surrounding the future of the Argentine prodigy.

As much comes with Los Blancos ready to open negotiations with their counterparts at River, over a deal which would see Mastantuono make his way to the Spanish capital upon turning 18.

A similar formula of course recently proved fruitful for Florentino Pérez and co, in landing another of South America’s brightest talents – Endrick.

TNT point towards the La Liga table-toppers as therefore ‘leading’ Barcelona and a host of other clubs from across Europe in the race for Mastantuono’s signature.

Conor Laird | GSFN