Barcelona have reportedly made contact with the latest South American wonder, who is expected to make a big splash in their win over La Liga rivals Real Madrid.
River Plate playmaker Franco Mastantuono is the starlet in question, with the 16-year-old Argentine having emerged at first-team level this season.
However, the Argentine giants are well aware of their interest in the player and have already moved to increase his buyout clause.
In fact, they intend to extend his contract until December 2026, with a release clause of 45 million euros in the contract, increasing by 5 million euros on the final day of the transfer window.
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It was also reported this week that Real Madrid have decided that Mastantuono is worth signing in the summer. Meanwhile, Manchester United had previously been mentioned as a potential transfer destination.
However, of the three clubs mentioned, it was Barcelona who made a concrete move, with newspaper Sport claiming that the Blaugrana had contacted his agent to inquire about signing the player.
The Catalan side have been monitoring Mastantuono for some time and are said to consider him a generational talent.
The report adds that Barcelona hope they can persuade the young player to hold off on committing to the team until 2025, and that by then they can afford to sign him given the current financial problems.
As for Real, they are ready to conclude the deal immediately, but will then allow Mastantuono to remain in Argentina for another year.
The Sport newspaper added that Barça also insist that Mastantuono gets more chances in the first team in the future than at the Bernabéu.
If he moves to the Camp Nou, Mastantuono could end up competing against another talented youngster in Lamine Yamal, who is already being talked about in Catalonia.
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Both players are left-footed wingers who play from the right flank, preferring to cut in and shoot with their favorite foot.
It remains to be seen how far River Plate are negotiating a new contract with the attacker.
