Soccer-Real Madrid agree deal for River Plate teenager Mastantuono

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Copa Libertadores - Group Stage - River Plate v Independiente del Valle - Estadio Mas Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina - May 15, 2025 River Plate's Franco Mastantuono celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File Photo
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) -Real Madrid have agreed to sign River Plate's young forward Franco Mastantuono for an initial fee of about $45 million, a spokesman for the Argentine club told Reuters on Thursday.
The 17-year-old Mastantuono made his debut for River in January 2024 and is widely regarded by the local media as the latest prodigy to emerge from Argentine football.
A talented left-footed finisher, he established himself as a starter under coach Marcelo Gallardo and soon became a key part of the Buenos Aires-based team.
"The sale is settled, in the final talks it remains to agree on some details," a club source told Reuters, who gave no further information about the transfer.
Mastantuono had been linked to other big European clubs such as Manchester United and Paris St Germain after attracting attention with a stunning free kick in River Plate's Superclasico win over Boca Juniors in April.
River intend to keep the attacking midfielder on loan at the club until December to complete their Copa Libertadores campaign, according to local press reports.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni recently called up Mastantuono for the first time for matches against Chile and Colombia in the South American qualifiers.
He could become the youngest player to make his senior debut for Argentina.
(Reporting by Ramiro Scandolo, writing by Janina Nuno Rios; Editing by Javier Leira and Ken Ferris)

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