Franco Mastantuono to snub Chelsea & Man Utd for European giant | OneFootball

River Plate's teenage sensation Franco Mastantuono has reportedly prioritised a move to Real Madrid above any other club.

The left-footed playmaker has been highly thought of for years, yet has enjoyed a profile surge in recent weeks. Scoring a spectacular free kick in arguably the fiercest rivalry world football has to offer will do that.

Chelsea and Manchester United have both been credited with serious interest in Mastantuono. Blues midfielder Enzo Fernandez went so far as to publicly laud his compatriot's talent and capacity to adapt to European football.

River Plate board member Stefano Di Carlo bluntly insisted that the club's prodigy would not be going anywhere this summer. Yet, Argentine journalist German Garcia Grova now claims that if Mastantuono were to leave River, he has settled on a move to Real Madrid.

Franco Mastantuono is the youngest goalscorer in River Plate history / Marcelo Endelli/GettyImages

Garcia Grova goes on to claim that the fleet of interested suitors have been made aware of this stance - though that didn't stop Manchester United from conducting two separate meetings with River Plate. Ultimately, Mastantuono's €40m (£34m) release clause was deemed to be too steep for the newly frugal Premier League outfit. French side Marseille were also said to be firmly rebuffed.

The report stresses that Mastantuono is not hell bent on leaving River, he is quite content with a contract which expires in December 2026, but his first-choice destination is clear.

The teenager's agent Augusto Fernandez has done nothing to downplay links to the Spanish giants. Last summer, the representative told ESPN: "Mastantuono is a prototype of a player that Real Madrid could easily like. He's very attractive to Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, ​​PSG... but you have to keep your feet on the ground and remember that he's clear about his desire to play for River Plate and continue to prove himself.

"I understand the talk about him, but it doesn't affect the player. And thank goodness: not everyone has his capacity for abstraction."

However, that affection may not be mutual. Spanish outlet SPORT claim that Madrid "feel used" by Mastantuono's entourage and their interest in the record-breaking youngster has notably "cooled". Much like United, Real weren't willing to meet River's asking price for a player who doesn't turn 18 until August.