AC Milan are showing keen interest in Franco Mastantuono, the latest jewel to emerge from River Plate’s renowned youth academy. The 16-year-old trequartista has caught the attention of Europe’s top clubs with his exceptional performances, prompting Milan to devise a strategy to secure his signature.
La Gazzetta dello Sport report how Mastantuono, who became River Plate’s youngest-ever goalscorer in February, has been on Milan’s radar for some time. The club’s chief scout, Geoffrey Moncada, has been tracking the youngster even before his first-team debut.
The Argentine prodigy recently extended his contract with River Plate until 2026, with an option for an additional year. His current deal includes a release clause of 45 million dollars, which increases to 50 million in the final days of each transfer window.
Milan are unlikely to meet the full release clause but is exploring the possibility of structuring the deal in two installments. The Rossoneri are also considering a strategy that would allow Mastantuono to continue his development at River Plate until 2026, potentially lowering the transfer fee.
Described as the “nueva joya” (new jewel), Mastantuono has already surpassed expectations set for other young talents at River Plate. His playing style draws comparisons to Nico Paz, currently impressing in Italy with Como.
Originally a tennis prodigy, Mastantuono’s passion for football and admiration for Lionel Messi led him to pursue a career on the pitch. Since joining River Plate in 2019, he has rapidly progressed through the youth ranks to become a first-team regular.
