Romano reveals Chelsea’s next WONDERKID signing

Robin Bairner

• 8 Apr 2024 08:18 BST
• 3 min read

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Chelsea are tracking another wonderkid who could be snapped up in the summer transfer window.

The Blues are refusing to back down from their transfer policy of signing young players, having already spent over €1 billion in the last 18 months to add some of football’s brightest young talents to their ranks.

This may not have translated to success on the field – Chelsea are only in a mid-table Premier League position – but there apparently remains faith that it will given time.

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According to Romano, Chelsea have sent scouts to monitor the progress of River Plate midfielder Franco Mastantuono.

The 16-year-old has already featured on 10 occasions for the first team of the Argentine giants, scoring one goal.

He has a release fee of €45 million having recently signed a contract with the club until December 2026.

Chelsea, however, are unable to formally sign him until he turns 18, which will not happen until August 2025. Instead, they could conduct the type of deal that has seen Kendry Paez tie himself to the club while playing with Independiente del Valle in Ecuador.

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Who else wants to sign Mastantuono?

Competition for Mastantuono promises to be intense for Chelsea, however.

Real Madrid and PSG are also following the teenager’s progress, according to Romano, while Sport reports that Barcelona and Manchester City are also interested in the player.

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Los Blancos have had particular success in the South American market in recent seasons, though primarily in Brazil. Vini Jr and Rodrygo have both successfully moved as youngsters to shine at the Bernabeu, while there are high hopes that Endrick will do likewise.

Chelsea have struggled to integrate players as smoothly as the Spaniards have, despite their admirable policy of signing youngsters.