Liverpool Joins Premier League Race for £29m Argentine Wonderkid

Liverpool has reportedly joined Arsenal and Chelsea in the pursuit of Franco Mastantuono, a highly-rated 17-year-old midfielder from River Plate. The Reds are considering a £29 million (€35 million) move for the young Argentine talent as part of their summer transfer strategy.

This interest comes as Liverpool also targets Julian Alvarez, currently at Atletico Madrid, to bolster their attacking options. The club is looking to revamp its forward line after disappointing performances from Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, and Luis Diaz this season.

Mastantuono, despite his young age, has already made an impact in Argentina’s top flight, contributing to two goals in just four appearances. His creative abilities could provide Liverpool with the spark they’ve been lacking in midfield, although his full potential may not be realized immediately under new manager Arne Slot.

Described as “gifted” by analyst Ben Mattinson, Mastantuono represents an opportunity for Liverpool to secure a future star at a relatively modest price. The club will be keen to avoid repeating past mistakes, such as missing out on Alvarez when he joined Manchester City.

By signing Mastantuono early in his career, Liverpool could potentially save themselves a significant amount of money in the long run. The move would also allow the Reds to demonstrate their appeal to young talent, even in the face of competition from other top Premier League clubs.

As Liverpool prepares for a new era under Arne Slot, the addition of promising young players like Mastantuono could be crucial in building a squad capable of competing at the highest level for years to come.