Manchester City join race for River Plate’s ‘Angel Di Maria re-gen’ after Julian Alvarez and Claudio Echeverri signings | OneFootball

Manchester City have thrown their hat into the ring for River Plate youngster Franco Mastantuono, according to the latest reports.

The 16-year-old is only under contract at the Buenos Aires club until December 2025 and is already attracting interest from Europe’s top clubs after being highly-touted in South American football circles.

The crafty winger had already been called up to Argentina’s U17 side by the time he hit 15-years-old, and some quality showing with River Plate’s youth sides saw him almost immediately be called up the U20s.

The player signed his first professional contract with River Plate back in August 2023, and reportedly has a €30 million release clause inserted into his existing deal with the South American giants.

According to a report from Sport Witness, Real Madrid are currently ‘chasing’ Mastantuono, while fellow European giants Manchester City, Barcelona, Paris Saint Germain, Borussia Dortmund, Benfica and Inter Milan are also ‘in the race’.

Manchester City seem to have struck a strong relationship with River Plate in recent seasons, completing a deal with the Argentine club for Julian Alvarez in January 2022, before agreeing to sign youngster Claudio Echeverri in the following January window.

The signing of Alvarez has already paid off handsomely for the Etihad Stadium club, while Echeverri has shown signs of potential stardom since going back on loan with River Plate for the remainder of their campaign.

While plenty of clubs appear to be in the hunt for Franco Mastantuono, Manchester City know what it takes to get deals over the line with the Argentine giants, and the ‘Angel Di Maria re-gen’ could be next.

Back on the pitch for Manchester City, the international break will conclude at the end of the month before the Premier League champions host current league leaders Arsenal in a crunch tie at the Etihad Stadium.

Going into the showdown with the Gunners, Pep Guardiola’s side sit one point behind their visitors and could reclaim top-spot in the division with a win. Arsenal last won a Premier League game at the Etihad Stadium in the 2014/15 campaign.