Liverpool attempt to snatch WONDERKID from Real Madrid

Liverpool are always on the lookout for the best young talents around. The acquisitions of Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni for example confirm that the Reds will leave no stone unturned in their quest to attract top prospects.

This summer we have seen the club move for Armin Pecsi - with the young Hungarian regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers in the world for his age group.

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Another outstanding young player on the Reds' radar ahead of the summer transfer window was Franco Mastantuono. The Argentine teenager has taken the football world by storm since breaking into the River Plate first team.

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Mastantuono, 17, has got the world’s biggest clubs queuing up to sign him - including most of the Premier League’s leading lights as well as the cream of European football.

Capable of playing right-wing or else attacking midfield, Mastantuono has recently made his senior international debut for the world champions.

Real Madrid win race for Mastantuono

He has scored a couple of sensational goals this year - including a world-class freekick against Superclasico rivals Boca Juniors - and is destined to move this summer.

Currently with River for the FIFA Club World Cup, it’s expected that Mastantuono will transfer to Europe in August once he turns 18.

Disappointingly for Liverpool and other interested clubs it looks like Real Madrid have won the race for Mastantuono - agreeing to pay around €45m for the starlet.

Liverpool tried to land Mastantuono

But now it’s been revealed that the Reds made a last-ditch effort to convince Mastantuono and his entourage to choose Anfield.

That’s according to the latest report in TBR Football - which claims that FIVE Premier League clubs in total attempted to wrestle the top prospect away from Madrid.

“In the last six weeks – Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle all made a play to land the River Plate sensation,” the report reads.

“However, he opted for Real Madrid, who were long-term favourites for the attacking midfielder.”

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The blow is softened significantly by the news that a fee has been agreed with Florian Wirtz. Liverpool will be heading into the new season with a wealth of attacking talent regardless.