Transfer Centre

Manchester United 'involved in four-way tussle for Argentinian wonderkids'

By Devesh Jaganath | 10 February 2024

Man United 'involved in four-way tussle for Argentinian wonderkids'

Manchester United are reportedly set to battle Manchester City, Barcelona and Real Madrid to sign four highly-rated Argentine youngsters in the summer transfer season.

Manchester United are reportedly set to battle Manchester City, Barcelona and Real Madrid to sign four highly-rated Argentinian youngsters.

The Red Devils' commitment to fostering young talent has become increasingly apparent recently, with the club's academy and emerging stars featuring prominently this season.

With the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho beginning to shine for The Red Devils, it seems the club are keen to add to their roster of young talent.

According to TyC Sports, Man United, along with other European powerhouses such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City, are scouting a quartet of Argentine youngsters.

The players that these clubs are monitoring include Franco Mastantuono and Ian Subiabre from River Plate, Aaron Anselmino from Boca Juniors and Tomas Parmo from Independiente.

Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho celebrates scoring their second goal with Rasmus Hojlund and Kobbie Mainoo on February 4, 2024 © Reuters

It is understood that among the four players, Anselmino had previously been linked with a move to Old Trafford, with a price tag of £15m attached to his name.

Despite having played only 296 minutes of senior football, the 18-year-old centre-back is already drawing interest from several European giants.

Meanwhile, the 16-year-old attacking midfielder Mastantuono was on the scoresheet in his side's 3-0 victory over Excursionistas in midweek and made history in doing so by becoming the joint-second youngest goalscorer in Argentine football history.

At 16 years and 177 days, the teenager now shares the record with former Manchester City star Sergio Aguero, while only Diego Maradona netted for Argentinos Juniors at a younger age (16 years and five days).

Following the win against Excursio, Mastantuono shared a heartfelt message: "Since I arrived in River in 2019, every time I score a goal, I kiss the club's badge. It was the club that put food on my table when I was a kid.

"It was a great emotion (When I scored), a lot of things went through my head, it made me want to cry. It is a dream that came true for me."

River Plate players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Argentina Primera Division on July 29, 2023 © Reuters

Winger Subiare, aged 17, made his debut for River Plate last week and has caught attention with his three goals in 20 appearances for Argentina's Under-17s.

Parmo, aged 16, is another player that The Red Devils are considering, and the Independiente midfielder is widely considered one of Argentina's brightest upcoming talents.

Man City, on the other hand, are no strangers to acquiring young South American talent, having signed Julian Alvarez in 2022 and River Plate teenager Claudio Echeverri last month.

Echeverri cost City in the region of £12.5m, and his contract with the club is set to run until the summer of 2028.