Franco Mastantuono has distanced himself from rumours of a possible move to Manchester United this summer, insisting he remains fully ‘committed’ to River Plate.
The 17-year-old attacking midfielder made his senior debut for River Plate in January 2024 and has gone on to establish himself as one of the brightest young talents in South American football over the last year-and-a-half.
This term, Mastantuono has racked up four goals and two assists for the Buenos Aires-based outfit and the Argentina Under-20 international is fast becoming the star man in Marcelo Gallardo’s starting XI.
The youngster’s stock rose further still with a spellbinding free-kick to open the scoring in River Plate’s Superclasico victory over bitter rivals Boca Juniors at the weekend.
Many of Europe’s elite clubs are already beginning to sit up and take notice, with Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all keeping tabs on Mastantuono’s performances.
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According to Argentine newspaper Infobae, United have shown ‘the most concrete interest’ in recent days, but it’s claimed the Old Trafford giants face an uphill battle in securing a deal for the teenager.
The report states that River Plate have no intention of selling Mastantuono, unless the player himself expresses a desire to move on. It would also require a club to pay the player’s €45million (£38m) release clause in full.
‘I’m committed to River Plate,’ Mastantuono told Argentine media following the side’s 2-1 win over Boca on Sunday.
‘We have a lot of things ahead of us. I’m really enjoying it and I want to continue being here.
‘Later, in the future, we’ll see, but right now my mind is on River Plate.’
River Plate head coach Gallardo, meanwhile, believes it is imperative that Mastantuono ignores the noise and keeps his feet firmly on the ground if he is to fulfil his undoubted potential.
‘We have to support him because he’s taking his first steps,’ Gallardo told reporters.
‘We shouldn’t think that we want to sell him because of his financial strength and the enthusiasm he generates at his young age. We have to protect him.
‘He’s got his feet firmly on the ground. It’s not a bad idea to support him, to tell him he has to keep growing.
‘I’m not saying it is normal, because it’s not the growth of any 17-year-old, but he has to keep growing as a footballer and as a person.’
Gallardo stressed that the club had no plans to part with Mastantuono in the foreseeable future.
He added: ‘We don’t want that. That’s not going to happen anytime soon.’
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