Do Manchester City hold an ace in the chase for a River Plate sensation? | OneFootball

We have seen Manchester City sign players from Argentinian giant River Plate in recent times. Julian Alvarez and Claudio Echeverri have both been snapped up by City from River. Crucial to both deals was the choice of City to loan both players to River Plate before making their moves to the Etihad. Now it seems that another race to sign a River sensation is brewing. The player in demand is young attacking midfielder Franco Mastantuono. If there is a battle to secure his signature do City hold an ace in that particular chase?

Manchester City are amongst a host of clubs interested in signing Franco Mastantuono.

A new report from Mark Brus for CaughtOffside indicates that there are a host of clubs interested in signing River Plate sensation Franco Mastantuono. Brus reports that Chelsea appears to be determined to win the race to sign the talented young playmaker. Furthermore, Brus reports that Liverpool and Real Madrid are also eager to sign the River Plate wonderkid. Brus reports that River Plate would demand €45 million to sell Mastantuono. Lastly, Brus adds that Manchester City, Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona all have an interest in signing Franco Mastantuono. But the asking price could be an obstacle for those clubs, including Manchester City, as per Brus’ report.

If Manchester City decide to move for Franco Mastantuono they could leverage their existing relationship with River Plate.

Claudio Echeverri recently arrived at Manchester City from River Plate. His signing was clinched in January of 2024. Echeverri then spent 12 months on loan at River Plate before joining City in January of this year. If City did decide to pursue a move for Franco Mastantuono there is a strong relationship between the two clubs for City to use to their advantage. If Manchester City decide to move for Franco Mastantuono that is a potential ace that they possess.

It’s easy to see why a host of clubs in Europe are eager to sign Franco Mastantuono. Mastantuono can play as a number ten or on the right wing. He is a player who glides around the pitch effortlessly. He possesses tremendous passing ability and his ability to perfectly weight a pass is elite. It is a trait in his game that is well beyond his years. Mastantuono is a goal threat with his left foot. He is also adept on his weaker foot. There is also an intelligence to his play which also stands out. He can play in the pockets and half spaces and everything about him screams future star of the game.

Franco Mastantuono is a player to watch for the future. Typically, that is the type of player Manchester Ctargetsrget. But if they do enter the race to sign him, their relationship with River Plate may give them an ace in the chase to sign him. It just remains to be seen if City will decide to move for Franco Mastantuno this summer.