Chelsea are one of several teams keeping tabs on River Plate attacking midfielder Franco Mastantuono, according to reports.
Sky Sports News claim that the Blues, Manchester United, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are all weighing up bids for the 17-year-old who has a €45m (£38m) release clause in his contract. Fans on X are split on whether signing another young player is the right move for the club:
Another kid! Creche FC
— Geraldine (@G_chumy) April 22, 2025
I know people are fed up with signing kids but when it comes to player like him you have to take that opportunity
— Riley (@RileyT_G1) April 22, 2025
This is how is going to be, signing kids better get use to it
— MANABWOY (@Manabwoy) April 22, 2025
Tbf he’s unbelievable
— Euan Brady (@EuanBrady011) April 22, 2025
Just what we need for our run in the Carabao Cup 2027/28
— Badboyathome (@badboyathome) April 22, 2025
Get him! I don't care how
— Kingsley Jackson (@ChelseaFreak_) April 22, 2025
What do fans need to know about Mastantuono?
The midfielder is left-footed so he has been deployed often on the right wing in addition to playing in more central areas as a No.10.
After making his senior debut against Argentinos Juniors at the end of January 2024, Mastantuono has gone on to make 53 appearances for River Plate, scoring 6 goals and providing 5 assists.
At international level, he has been capped 10 times by Argentina’s Under 20s, having featured at the South American Championships earlier this year.
Chelsea can snap him up this summer
The Blues have had to wait to sign other youngsters from South America, such as Kendry Paez and Estevao, because rules don’t allow English teams to sign anyone from abroad who is below the age of 18.
Mastantuono will reach that important milestone in August so that makes him an attractive target ahead of the next transfer window.
Read our exclusive interview with Paul Parker as he claims that Chelsea could sign the “English Version” of Diego Costa
