Barcelona set sights on deal for Franco Mastantuono | OneFootball

The powers that be at La Liga giants Barcelona have turned their attentions towards Argentina, amid ongoing efforts to add ever further to the club’s burgeoning youth ranks.

That’s according to Diario Sport, who have on Wednesday provided an insight into the latest developments behind the scenes in Catalunya’s capital.

Barca, it is understood, have set their sights on the services of River Plate sensation Franco Mastantuono.

Mastantuono, for his part, is a versatile 16-year-old midfielder, capable of lining out in a central role, or on the wing.

His name has taken its place front and centre in the headlines in his home country of Argentina over the course of recent days, after Mastantuono established himself as the youngest player to ever feature in the famed Superclásico, between River and arch rivals Boca Juniors.

Not only that, but the teen is said to have passed the first high-profile test of his senior career with flying colours, a fine omen when it comes to Mastantuono’s prospects at the top level of the game.

In turn, it should this week come as little surprise to hear that the midfield gem has already managed to make his way onto the radar of one of European football’s heavyweight clubs.

As per the aforementioned Sport, Barcelona are quickly ‘compiling information’ on Mastantuono, long revered in Argentina for his vision, eye for goal, and remarkable calm under pressure.

As much comes with a view to a potential future bid on the part of the Blaugrana, who view the River Plate prodigy as boasting all of the necessary tools to develop into a future star.

Conor Laird | GSFN