Manchester United 'willing' to pay £38 million buyout clause for dazzling wonderkid wanted by Real Madrid
Manchester United will hope to sign the attacker, especially if they decide to sell the likes of Alejandro Garnacho.
Manchester United are set for huge transfer window this summer, where they may see several top players leave the club to generate more funds for Ruben Amorim.
One such name is Alejandro Garnacho, who has been linked to Napoli and Chelsea ahead of the window, and his sale could generate between £40m and £70m, based on United’s asking price heading into the summer.
The sale of Garnacho could help them buy alternative targets, with one having a £38m release clause. However, he is also wanted by the likes of Real Madrid and PSG.
Manchester United willing to pay £38m release clause for Mastantuono
One player that United have been linked to in recent weeks is River Plate wonderkid Franco Mastantuono, who has developed a reputation of being a future star both for club and country. The 17-year-old has attracted interest from Madrid and PSG, but neither has yet indicated that they are willing to pay his release clause this summer. But reports in Argentina suggest that United are willing.
TYC Sports reports that Manchester United are prepared to exercise Mastantuono’s £38m release clause, but pay in instalments due to their precarious position with finances and profit and sustainability rules. The report says that Mastantuono wants to wait for Real Madrid, despite suggestions that the Spanish giants have pulled out of initial negotiations to sign the 17-year-old. Other teams linked include Marseille and Atletico Madrid.
Mastantuono has made nine league appearances so far this season for River Plate, scoring three goals and two assists. He plays as a winger and an attacking midfielder, meaning that he could feature for United in one of the two number 10 positions that Amorim likes to play behind a striker.
Could Alejandro Garnacho leave in the summer?
If United are to sign Mastantuono, he seems the perfect replacement for 20-year-old Garnacho, who has struggled for consistent form under Amorim this season, and has been subject to reports of a summer move away.
The winger hasn’t spoken too much about his future at Old Trafford. But his contract is due to expire in June 2028 after signing his most recent contract extension in 2023. Most recent reports have said that United have set just a £42m asking price on Garnacho, despite suggestions that Napoli would be prepared to offer £67m in March.
It is understood that Amorim would like to keep hold of the Argentinian attacker, but if United have to sell him, the manager may not have much of a choice. This season, Garnacho has made 52 appearances for United, scoring nine goals and providing nine assists.
He will hope that he can help United to a Europa League trophy this season as the Red Devils look to salvage something from a year that has been filled with disappointment at Old Trafford.