Chelsea’s pursuit of ‘Argentine Phil Foden’ takes twist as Champions League finalists ‘join £38m race’

Chelsea and Manchester United are supposedly facing fresh competition from a Champions League finalist for the services of River Plate youngster Franco Mastantuono.

The 17-year-old – who has been dubbed the ‘Argentine Phil Foden’ – is regarded as one of the finest teenage talents in South America and is being tipped for a marquee move in 2025.

Despite his tender age, Mastantuono has already made 61 appearances for River Plate in all tournaments, scoring 10 goals and setting up seven more in the process.

A stellar 2025 season has seen the 2007-born talent come up with 11 goal contributions from 19 matches – seven of his own and four assists – but his contract expires in December of next year.

Man United and Chelsea have seemingly been at the head of the queue to strike a deal for Mastantuono, who is comfortable on the right-hand side of the attack and in the number 10 position.

Paris Saint-Germain ‘join race’ for Chelsea, Man Utd-linked Mastantuono

© Imago

However, Sky Sports News now reports that the pair will face intense competition from Paris Saint-Germain, who have now joined the race to sign Mastantuono in the summer window.

Les Parisiens – who face Inter Milan in the Champions League final on Saturday evening – would only have to pay €45m (£37.9m) to bring the player to the Parc des Princes thanks to a release clause in his contract.

Such a sale would represent the highest in River Plate’s history, marginally eclipsing the €44.25m (£37.3m) that Benfica paid to sign now-Chelsea man Enzo Fernandez in 2022.

The club’s general secretary Stefano Di Carlo has stressed that Mastantuono will continue at River Plate for the rest of the calendar year, though, as their season does not end until the latter stages of 2025.

Furthermore, no interested parties are believed to have made contact with the Argentinian giants, and Mastantuono is expected to turn out for River Plate at the upcoming Club World Cup.

The South American side face Inter Milan, Urawa Red Diamonds and Monterrey in Group E of the tournament, and Mastantuono could potentially face Chelsea – who are in Group D – in the knockout rounds.

Which other clubs are pursuing Mastantuono?

© Imago

Chelsea, Man United and PSG are just three of several clubs keeping a close eye on Mastantuono’s progress in Argentina, which has apparently caught the eye of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona too.

Atletico are believed to have sent representatives to Buenos Aires to watch the 17-year-old in action, while a surprise Premier League side have also shown interest in a deal.

Mastantuono has represented Argentina at Under-17 and Under-20 level, and he has been called up to the preliminary senior squad for June’s 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Chile and Colombia.

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