Manchester United are reportedly considering a move for a 17-year-old Argentine starlet Franco Mastantuono, who has been likened to Manchester City's Phil Foden.
The Red Devils' disastrous Premier League season hit another low ebb in Sunday's 1-0 home loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and they are already guaranteed to finish the campaign with their lowest-ever Premier League points total.
However, Ruben Amorim's side could still secure a route to the Champions League via the Europa League, as they prepare to lock horns with Athletic Bilbao in a blockbuster semi-final.
Entry into Europe's premier competition would do wonders for Man United both financially and in a sporting sense, making them genuine contenders to land the globe's top up-and-coming talents this summer.
One such player is 17-year-old Mastantuono, whom The Sun claims Man United are 'closely monitoring' ahead of a possible £38m swoop for the South American protege this summer.
Who is Man United-linked Mastantuono?
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The latest gem to emerge from the River Plate academy, which has also nurtured the likes of Julian Alvarez and Claudio Echeverri, 2007-born Mastantuono is already a regular fixture for the Argentine giants.
The 17-year-old - who turns 18 in August - has come up with six goals and five assists in 53 appearances for River Plate, including three strikes and two helpers from 11 appearances in the current season.
A versatile offensive player, the left-footed Mastantuono is most comfortable on the right-hand side or in the number 10 position, seemingly making him an ideal fit for Amorim's 3-4-3 shape behind the main striker.
The Argentina Under-20 international could become a free agent in December 2026, but his contract is said to include a £38m release clause, which Man United could trigger if the player performs well at this summer's Club World Cup.
The report adds that Mastantuono has drawn comparisons to Man City star Foden in his homeland, but Man United will face competition from Barcelona, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid to secure his signature.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea have also been previously linked with Mastantuono, who is expected to earn his first call-up to the senior Argentina squad later this year.
Why Man United might have advantage in Mastantuono race
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Among the quartet of Man United, Atletico, Barca and Inter, Red Devils fans could be forgiven for rating their side the least likely to strike a deal for Mastantuono amid the prospect of no European football.
However, Amorim has had no qualms about throwing in talented teenagers if they are good enough, as demonstrated by Harry Amass and Tyler Fredericson's starts in the weekend's loss to Wolves, where the latter earned high praise in particular.
Ex-Arsenal youngsters Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven have also been exposed to first-team football since joining the club in January, so Mastantuono may feel that the path to the first team at Old Trafford is the clearest.
If one of RB Leipzig or Borussia Dortmund entered the race, though, that might be a different story, as both German giants are renowned for giving a plethora of youngsters a platform to shine.
Ben Knapton
