Franco Mastantuono: Real Madrid win race for River Plate's 17-year-old wonderkid | OneFootball

Fans will get a first look at Mastantuono at the Club World Cup

Real Madrid have reportedly won the race to sign Argentine wonderkid Franco Mastantuono.

Los Blancos have held an interest in the player for some time, with their interest first reported in 2024, and are finally set to secure his signature, despite heavy interest from Paris Saint-Germain.

According to reports, the player will sign a six-year deal, keeping him at the Bernabeu through 2031.

Real Madrid will trigger his €45million (£38.5m) release clause, which would mark a club-record sale, narrowly topping the €44m (£37.1m) Benfica paid for Enzo Fernandez in 2022.

Xabi Alonso, who took over as head coach from the departing Carlo Ancelotti this summer, reportedly called the player to convince him to snub PSG. Manchester United were also reported to hold an interest, but were not able to convince him.

Mastantuono is set to join up with the squad after his 18th birthday, meaning he will be free to represent River at the Club World Cup, where he will get his first taste of European football, facing Inter Milan in the group stage.

He scored on debut for River in 2024, since going on to record ten first-team goals in 61 appearances, and caught headlines after scoring a free-kick in the Superclasico against Boca Juniors.

He replaced Thiago Almada to make a brief cameo for Argentina as they downed Chile 1-0 on Thursday - his senior debut for the Albiceleste.

Real Madrid endured a difficult season, struggling in the Champions League before losing the Copa del Rey final to Barcelona in extra time and finishing second in La Liga.

They will hope Alonso’s arrival and a strong transfer window will return them to the pinnacle of the Spanish game next season.