Manchester United’s head coach, Ruben Amorim, has taken an unconventional route with his tactics, opting for two attacking midfielders supporting a lone striker, instead of the traditional use of wingers that has been the mainstay for years. This shift led to Marcus Rashford and Antony making their exits in January, given that they didn’t align with Amorim’s strategy. Additionally, Alejandro Garnacho’s long-term prospects at the club seem uncertain.
With Christian Eriksen no longer able to command the role of an attacking midfielder with the same vigor, due to his age, Bruno Fernandes stands as Amorim’s sole option for the No. 10 position. This leaves the coach eager to bolster his ranks with fresh talent. However, instead of going after established stars, INEOS is eyeing young prospects who still have room to grow.
Broadening their search, INEOS has been casting an eye towards the South American market. This is evident from their recent agreement to bring left-back Diego Leon from Cerro Porteno next summer. Another highly-rated talent on their radar is River Plate’s record-setting prodigy, Franco Mastantuono. Though initially, Amorim chose to pass on the opportunity to sign him in January, believing the youngster’s development had hit a plateau, the club leaned towards a cautious approach.
Nevertheless, Inter Live reports that Inter Milan is gearing up to launch a move for the 17-year-old, whose playing style has drawn comparisons to Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde. This has stirred Manchester United to take notice, as they don’t want the opportunity to slip through their fingers.
Mastantuono, an Argentina U20 international, carries a release clause of €40 million. However, the Italian side is aiming to negotiate closer to €15 million, potentially allowing United to swoop in and outmaneuver them. Notably, Manchester City, Barcelona, and Real Madrid have also shown admiration for Mastantuono, who made quite an impression last season with three goals and an equal number of assists.
The race to secure Mastantuono’s signature is heating up. According to Interlive.it, “Franco Mastantuono has caught the attention of Inter, and the odds of finalizing a deal are on the rise. They are expected to make a serious attempt via intermediaries; however, the intricate situation surrounding his registration needs resolution. Currently, the €40 million release clause stands, yet his recent form at River has not lived up to expectations, culminating the Sub-20 without a single goal or assist.”
The competition presents a significant challenge. Both Manchester clubs, along with persistent murmurs about Barcelona’s interest and Real Madrid potentially waiting in the wings, intensify the race.
Despite his underwhelming performance at the U20 South America Championship, which might explain why clubs are hesitating to meet his hefty release clause, the potential for INEOS to outbid Inter and secure Mastantuono this summer remains uncertain.
Images courtesy of Marcelo Endelli via Getty Images.
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