Latest developments
- Liverpool are interested in River Plate's Franco Mastantuono.
- The 17-year-old has a £37.5 million release clause.
- The attacking midfielder played 40 times for River in 2024.
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (2/5): News broke in Buenos Aires
Liverpool are monitoring highly-rated River Plate midfielder Franco Mastantuono after an impressive breakout season for the 17-year-old.
This news comes from Liverpool news site anfieldindex.com, though the story originally broke on Argentinian site rivernoticias.com, though they do not share their source information, despite claiming Real Madrid and Barcelona are interested.
Value (2/5): Hefty release clause
River Plate are said to not be interested in selling the player for now, meaning they are not willing to accept bids below Mastantuono's £37.5 million release clause.
With a market value of £10.75 million and only 40 senior appearances to his name, Liverpool will have to gamble if they want to bring him to Anfield before any other super clubs snap him up.
Suitability (2.5/5): Depends on Slot's formation
Scoring three times and providing three assists in 2024, Mastantuono plays mainly as an attacking midfielder, and has filled in at both left- and right-midfield this year.
He would be useful as part of the 4-2-3-1 formation that Arne Slot has brought to Anfield this term, but it is more difficult to see where he fits as part of a 4-3-3.
Upgrade? (1/5): One for the future
Much of the talk surrounding River Plate of late has been about Claudio Echeverri, who has been keeping Mastantuono out of the attacking midfield position, having been sent back on loan in Buenos Aires after signing for Man City.
Not even the top attacking midfielder at his current club, Mastantuono is not yet an upgrade on the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch, but he is clearly talented and will be able to command a place in Liverpool's team one day if he lives up to potential.
Logic (2/5): Come back in a year
Paying £37.5 million does not make a lot of sense for the moment, though it may well do this time next year. With Echeverri's loan ending, Mastantuono has the chance to step up in 2025 and make the position his own.
An extra year of development will be healthy for the teenager, and give Liverpool a much better insight.
Whisper+ verdict: 9.5/25
The kid is talented, but this rumour seems to have been dreamt up by excited reporters/fans on both sides of the Atlantic. Give it 12 months and River might be ready to sell, and the Reds might face some competition.
