Real Madrid agree deal for River Plate teenager Mastantuono

BUENOS AIRES, June 5 (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.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Record

an hour ago

• Daily Record

Philippe Clement sees his Nico Raskin transfer prophecy ring true as Rangers star sees Premier League interest rise

Clement was sacked by Gers back in February but recently predicted that his former player is destined for big things down south Philippe Clement didn't get too much right in the final weeks of his Rangers tenure - but his transfer prophecy about Nicolas Raskin could have some weight to it. ‌ It comes off the back of recent reports that West-Midlands rivals Aston Villa have also been keeping tabs on Raskin, who is also said to have potential suitors abroad. ‌ The 24-year-old was a shining light in an otherwise dismal campaign for Gers last season, and his efforts have been rewarded with four caps for the Red Devils at senior international level. It remains to be seen if new owners San Francisco 49ers will opt to cash in on their prized asset - who still has two years remaining on his contract - this summer to give boss Russell Martin an additional boost to the £20million transfer kitty already laid down by the Ibrox hierarchy. And the recent surge of interest in the player from the big boys down south will have come as no surprise to Clement, who recently opened up on all things Rangers four months on from his sacking in Govan. Asked about Raskin, he said: "He's ready. I'm convinced Nico would fit perfectly in the Premier League. "I'm not saying he would be in a top six team now. But just below that, so he can calmly adapt to the level. "Make no mistake: Nico has a lot of room to grow. ‌ "He has to make the right choice now. And if he leaves and gets enough playing time at his new club, he will only get better. I would put my hand in the fire for that." Clement, who handed Raskin the captain's armband for an Old Firm clash with Celtic back in January, added: "He's a character. I worked with him intensively for a year at Rangers. Nico wants to know everything, gets into discussions and has his own opinion. But if you communicate and argue clearly, there's no problem at all. "I like players with an opinion. I didn't just give him the captain's armband for nothing. That way he could grow as a footballer and take on more responsibility. ‌ "He has good feet and plays energetic football, but the most important step Nico has taken is that he has become tactically stronger. That's why he was ready for the national team - something I said six months ago. I've talked to him about it a lot. "Nico was a firefighter. You know? He often went somewhere else to put out fires and that caused problems in his zone. He doesn't do that anymore. "I wasn't surprised when he played so well for Belgium on his debut. He's played a lot of European matches. Both with Standard Liege and Rangers. "When you play against teams like Manchester United, Spurs, Benfica or Real means it's nothing new for him to play against top players. "Playing for his country was a huge honour for him. Nico benefits from that - he's a born winner.'

Metro

2 hours ago

• Metro

Napoli respond to transfer offer for Scott McTominay after dream debut season

Italian champions Napoli have responded to a transfer offer for Scott McTominay following his dream debut season, according to reports. McTominay moved to Naples less than 12 months ago from Manchester United in a deal worth just £25.7m and has already become a club icon. The Scotland international was crowned Serie A Most Valuable Player for the 2024-25 campaign as he helped Napoli land the Italian top-flight title. McTominay registered 12 goals and six assists across 34 Serie A games after having a 'point to prove' following his Old Trafford exit in August. After such a brilliant debut season for his new club, there is one team outside of Italy who are keen on recruiting the 28-year-old midfielder… Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal approached Napoli to see if they could be tempted to sell McTominay this summer, according to Alfredo Pedulla. Napoli have already responded to the offer and said that no deal will be done at any price for the for their star man, under contract until June 2028. McTominay himself, meanwhile, is thought to be extremely happy at Napoli and is not considering a move away from the club any time soon. Speaking this month, Liverpool and Scotland star Andy Robertson called out United for their transfer mistake in letting McTominay join Napoli. 'He (McTominay) probably didn't get the respect he deserves,' Robertson said. 'Then he goes over there (Napoli), puts in a magnificent season and fair play to him to end it with the league title. 'Even before he was at Napoli, his standards for Scotland were unbelievable. He's getting better and better, he has taken it to a whole new level.' Speaking to Sky Sports Italy this week, Napoli manager Antonio Conte admitted he was stunned his club were able to sign McTominay last year. 'Scott is a player whom I really knew well,' Conte said. 'He was born and raised at Manchester United. More Trending 'I could see that he always made an impact when he played, but at the same time, I noticed he wasn't used as a key player at Manchester United. 'He was hardly a starter. Honestly, we had talked about it with [Napoli director] Giovanni Manna. He told me it was a possible solution. 'Sometimes, directors make up stories also to keep you calm. If you ask me, 'Have you ever thought McTominay would surely arrive?' – I'd say no. 'Don't forget we were heading into a season without European trophies to play for, so he had to leave Manchester United to start over with us.' MORE: £50m star told to reject Chelsea transfer and join Manchester United MORE: Arsenal set asking price as Bayern Munich consider Gabriel Martinelli transfer MORE: Kevin De Bruyne tells Antonio Conte to sign England star in blow to Manchester United

Scotsman

3 hours ago

• Scotsman

Methane tractor, a Clydesdale called Yorkie and a world record smashed

Until next year... Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Some 212,000 people flooded through the gates at the Royal Highland Show this year to see more than 6,000 animals and taste the best of Scotland's food and drink in a celebration of farming. From prize-winning cattle to the latest models in agri tech, the event saw the best of the country's agriculture come together over four days, with early bird tickets already going on sale for next year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Some eye-grabbing champions of the weekend included global brand New Holland taking home a prize for its 100 per cent methane-powered tractor, which it claims to be a world first. A world-first was witnessed in the forestry arena at this year's show. Dan Wheelan, from Shropshire, set a world record climbing a 80ft pole in just 9 seconds, beating the previous record of 9.61. Another prize-winner included Elaine Ramsay, from Dumfries and Galloway-based Millisle Clydesdales, who took home the heavy horse champion for her Clydesdale, Yorkie. The Ramsay family celebrated their 60th anniversary of showing heavy horses at the event this year. Ms Ramsay's father, Hugh Ramsay, holds an MBE for services to the Clydesdale horse. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Elaine Ramsay carried on the family tradition that her father Hugh Ramsay started when he was competing at the Royal Highland Show 60 years ago. | Lisa Ferguson Her Royal Highness Princess Anne made her annual visit to the show on Friday where she met with primary school children taking part in activities and toured the grounds. A couple of farmers sleep as The Princess Royal tours the cattle stalls in the Highland Hall during a visit to the Royal Highland Show at the Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston, Edinburgh. Picture date: Friday June 20, 2025. | Jane Barlow/PA Another royal touch at the show included the annual presentation of the Queen's Cup, a prestigious award of the show that was presented by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1960 to commemorate her presidency of the Royal Highland Show. This year, the cup, which rotates the livestock categories annually, was awarded to champion goat, Messrs Webster and Smith with Guilden Elm. It is the 15th time in 45 years the pair have won the award. The most sustainable farm of the year, an award hosted by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), went to Balcaskie Estate in Fife. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The estate is home to native breeds including Lincoln Red cattle, Tamworth pigs and a range of native sheep. Estate managers have regularly championed the animals, saying they are central to Balcaskie's low-input, sustainable farming system, and to the management of the wider landscape to help promote natural biodiversity. As well as celebrating agriculture in the country, the event marked a major social occasion, particularly for those working in the sector from all corners of the country. Over 56,000 pints were poured over the four days and some 7,400 people partied into the night on Friday and Saturday evening at the Royal Highland Hoolie, with a folk and country line-up including Elephant Sessions. David Tennant, head of show for RHASS, which runs the event, said: 'It has been wonderful to see generations from across the agricultural community come together to celebrate their great achievements, learnings, stories and make new memories, just as it has been to see visitors and families enjoy all that the Show has to offer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We were very honoured to have welcomed HRH Princess Anne to Friday's Show when we shared with her all of the great achievements from the Scottish agricultural industry. 'While the Show is renowned for its historic and traditional aspects, namely the livestock competitions and parades, over the years we have developed it so far beyond that, and every year we build and grow on the last. 'I'd like to thank everyone for playing their part, from our members, exhibitors and competitors to our staff and members of the public, for helping to make the 2025 Royal Highland Show a truly unforgettable event!'