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Manchester United are bracing for one of their most difficult summer windows in recent memory.
With no European football on offer, the club’s recruitment pitch has weakened significantly, making it harder to attract top talent.
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They’ve already felt the sting of those circumstances, with Liam Delap choosing Chelsea over Old Trafford despite holding advanced talks with United.
And now, they look set to miss out on another elite prospect widely regarded as one of the brightest young stars in world football.
Manchester United set to miss out on Franco Mastanuono
According to Marca, Real Madrid have reached a full agreement with Franco Mastantuono over a move from River Plate, beating PSG and United to his signature.
Madrid’s chief scout Juni Calafat travelled to Buenos Aires to negotiate with River Plate and the player’s agent.
The structure of the deal is still being finalised.
But the player and his camp are now heading for Spain to complete the final steps.
According to Marca’s report, River Plate have insisted that Mastantuono remain with the team until the end of the FIFA Club World Cup later this year.
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After that, he will join the Spanish giants at the end of July – as planned in a prior agreement between the player and the Argentine club.
Madrid have committed to paying around €45 million, either by triggering the release clause or reaching an arrangement with River to split the payments into six instalments.
A condition the Argentine club has so far stood firm on.
The 17-year-old playmaker, who previously held talks with Xabi Alonso about his future role at the Bernabeu, is now fully convinced about the switch.
For United, it marks another near-miss in a window that could define their rebuild under the new INEOS-led structure.
United’s pursuit has been strong, with Jason Wilcox pushing for negotiations to advance.
However, Madrid are now set to beat United to another huge talent.
It could well be seen as revenge for Leny Yoro, who United beat the Spanish club to.
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