Real Madrid step up transfer battle with PSG as Spanish giants ready €40m bid to ensure River Plate wonderkid joins Club World Cup squad

Madrid are working hard to complete the signing of the 17-year-old before the Club World Cup, with Mundo Deportivo reporting they have sent representatives to Buenos Aires to conduct negotiations with River Plate.

Over the past year, Madrid were believed to be the clear frontrunners to land his signature, as he reportedly snubbed a move to the Premier League in favour of 'waiting' for a call from Los Blancos. However, Madrid's unwillingness to trigger Mastantuono's €45 million (£38m/$51m) release clause allowed PSG to pull ahead in the race, and it was reported on Monday that the French giants appeared set to snap him up.

Mastantuono became River Plate's youngest ever scorer at 16 years, five months and 25 days old in February 2024. He has earned a call-up to the Argentina senior national team for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, which could see him make his debut at an even younger age than Lionel Messi did.

Madrid usually end up acquiring the players they really want to add to their squad. Given Mastantuono's first and only preference to join the Spanish giants, a deal could be fast-tracked in the coming days, with the expectation that he could be a part of the Club World Cup squad.