logo
Man Utd considering transfer for ‘Argentine Phil Foden', 17, who has £38million release clause but face huge competition

Man Utd considering transfer for ‘Argentine Phil Foden', 17, who has £38million release clause but face huge competition

The Irish Sun21-04-2025
MANCHESTER UNITED could make a £38million swoop for the player dubbed 'the Argentine Phil Foden'.
2
Franco Mastantuono of River Plate is being targeted in a £38million swoop by Man Utd
Credit: Rex
2
He has been dubbed the 'Argentine Phil Foden'
Credit: Getty
But United may have to get in quick as
Mastantuono, the latest off the astonishing River Plate production line, became the youngest scorer in the club's history when he netted in an Argentine Cup win over Excursionistas in February 2024 at just 16 years and five months, beating the record held by Javier Saviola.
He has added five more goals since, capped by a stunning individual strike in last week's win over Gimnasia as he picked the ball up on the right and exploded inside, leaving three defenders for dead before finding the bottom corner with his favoured left foot.
That style of play, starting on the right, has seen the comparisons to Foden.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
Like the
And United are understood to be considering meeting the £38m release clause in his contract to land a player who is set to have a global stage this summer when he features for the Buenos Aires outfit in Fifa's new expanded Club World Cup.
Mastantuono aims to make the same impact as previous River Plate academy graduates Ariel Ortega, Radamel Falcao, Julian Alvarez and
A stunning 51 academy players have progressed to the top tier over the past two decades, with River now viewed as the seeding ground of Argentina's return to global supremacy.
Most read in Football
BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK
Mastantuono, who has already featured for the under-17 and under-21 sides, is expected to make his full debut next term and be in Lionel Scaloni's squad for the 2026 World Cup.
And while River want to hold on to their latest prized asset, a serious bid by United would almost certainly see a deal being done.
Man Utd fans celebrate outside Old Trafford after leaving Lyon game early
Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday
plus
in-depth coverage and exclusives
from Old Trafford
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Why Man Utd should SCRAP Benjamin Sesko transfer for different position Ruben Amorim desperately needs
Why Man Utd should SCRAP Benjamin Sesko transfer for different position Ruben Amorim desperately needs

The Irish Sun

time8 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

Why Man Utd should SCRAP Benjamin Sesko transfer for different position Ruben Amorim desperately needs

Skipper Bruno Fernandes has issued a heartfelt transfer plea to the Red Devils brass NO SESK APPEAL Why Man Utd should SCRAP Benjamin Sesko transfer for different position Ruben Amorim desperately needs MANCHESTER UNITED chiefs are 'working around the clock' to give Ruben Amorim the tools he needs to fix the club. But as Amorim and Co landed back home on Monday after their promising US tour ended with a reality check in the Big Peach, one pressing thought dominated. Advertisement 7 Manchester United are hot on the heels of RB Leipzig hitman Benjamin Sesko Credit: GETTY 7 The Red Devils are going toe-to-toe with Prem rivals Newcastle for the 22-year-old Credit: GETTY 7 Ruben Amorim needs to strengthen other areas of his squad before signing a new striker Credit: Getty Should United chief executive Omar Berrada be prioritising a new No.9 and looking to spend £70million-plus on Benjamin Sesko? Newcastle hit Leipzig's asking price for the Slovenian frontman on Monday night and are keep to wrap up a deal as soon as possible. United now must decide whether to make their move. But the question remains, is it a proper holding midfielder that they REALLY need? Advertisement READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS SES PLEASE Benjamin Sesko 'tells both Man Utd and Newcastle he only wants them' Manuel Ugarte looked no better equipped than he did when flailing through last season, as Everton clearly targeted him in Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The £42.3m Uruguayan midfielder, 24, got criminally caught in possession for Iliman Ndiaye's goal in Sunday night's 2-2 friendly draw, was treading through treacle at times and looked all at sea for most of his 72 minutes on the pitch. And when replaced by Casemiro, who remains slower than a pedalo in choppy waters — while Kobbie Mainoo has gone backwards — it exposed glaring vulnerabilities in the centre of midfield. The attacking trident boss Amorim used for the first 45 minutes, with debutant Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes floating in and around each other, was vibrant and exciting. Advertisement SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN 7 7 Central midfield remains a problem area for Manchester United, despite the relatively recent arrival of Manuel Ugarte Credit: Getty Amad Diallo, despite playing a part in Ayden Heaven's own goal that gifted the Toffees a second leveller, offered thrust and dynamism at wing-back. Yet he gave centre-back Leny Yoro scant protection. Advertisement While, Mason Mount came off the bench to curl home a delightful effort and show he can contribute. Sesko wants Man Utd move as Villa block Watkins exit | Transfers Exposed There are clearly goals in this United squad, even with seemingly-unwanted Rasmus Hojlund on the bench and Joshua Zirkzee still not fit. Mbeumo, building up fitness after a £65m move from Brentford, has pace, penetration and perception. Cunha looks a scorer of great goals, if perhaps not a great goalscorer, while skipper Bruno is at his best when looking to hurt opponents with the ball. Advertisement Replacing Hojlund with another similar style player, rather than a proven Prem striker like Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta, seems a waste of resources given their midfield shortcomings. For starters, Mateta is available at half the price of RB Leipzig man Sesko. Finding a Rodri equivalent is, of course, tough. Just ask Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. Ugarte got criminally caught in possession for Iliman Ndiaye's goal in Sunday night's 2-2 friendly draw, was treading through treacle at times and looked all at sea for most of his 72 minutes on the pitch. But what Amorim would give for a Michael Carrick or Owen Hargreaves. Advertisement Even so, Amorim was right to highlight positives from their training camp in Chicago and games against West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton. Yet Fernandes was critical of the 'lazy' performance against the Toffees, adding: 'We need to change that. 'The situation is improving, but the culture here was winning — and we need to bring that back. 'A lot of people have suffered from this, a lot of people who had been working at the club for many years had to go. Advertisement 'Fans are paying more for tickets, so it's up to us to pay it back on the pitch.' Amorim, asked to respond, was emphatic. He said: 'I'm happy for the players to have that feeling. 7 CEO Omar Berrada should prioritise resolving the biggest issue in United's squad ahead of signing a new strike Credit: GETTY "They understand the situation. Advertisement 'We need to be really consistent. But we are better. It's the perfect feeling to go back to Carrington. 'The momentum of the tour was perfect. We had the weeks to work with a good environment, good feeling. "Then we go back to Carrington and are near to starting the season, going with the feeling that we need to do a lot of things.' Including in further recruitment — as captain Fernandes stated in his own message to the board. Advertisement The Portuguese midfielder said: 'I don't want to have a dig at anyone. 7 Skipper Bruno Fernandes has issued a transfer plea to the Manchester United brass Credit: GETTY "The club are doing the best they can in terms of all the financial situations they talk about. 'But it was crystal clear that we needed more competition — more quality to get everyone to step up a bit more. Advertisement 'That's what the club and manager are trying to do and, hopefully, we can get one or two players more to help with that.' In what will be music to Fernandes' ears, United chief Berrada revealed: 'The recruitment team is working round the clock to strengthen our squad.' Start with the biggest issue, Omar, not the most eye-catching one. Teams with a polo mint hole in the middle can never win anything.

Raheem Sterling leads list of NINE Chelsea players banished from Blues' website as full 47-man squad revealed
Raheem Sterling leads list of NINE Chelsea players banished from Blues' website as full 47-man squad revealed

The Irish Sun

time15 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

Raheem Sterling leads list of NINE Chelsea players banished from Blues' website as full 47-man squad revealed

Clock is ticking for outcasts to find a new home INTO THE BLUE Raheem Sterling leads list of NINE Chelsea players banished from Blues' website as full 47-man squad revealed RAHEEM STERLING heads a list of NINE Chelsea players who are out of the first-team picture - literally. The former England international, 30, and eight other stars do not even have a profile or photo in the first-team section of the Blues' official website. 5 Raheem Sterling is one of nine Chelsea players banished from the Blues' website Credit: Getty 5 Ben Chilwell has also been left off the Chelsea website Credit: Getty The clock is ticking for Chelsea to find new homes for unwanted players after Sterling and others were joined on Monday by players returning after time off following the Club World Cup. The Blues have been on another big spending spree this summer, with £60million Joao Pedro among a number of signings that have swollen the current first-team squad to an incredible 47 players. Stamford Bridge chiefs are close to selling striker Armando Broja and midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu - two of the players who do not appear on the website - to Burnley. But in addition to Academy graduates Broja and Alfie Gilchrist, there are seven players including Ugochukwu who cost Chelsea a combined total of more than £200m who have no profile on the website - despite still officially being at the club. READ MORE SPORT STORIES FOOTIE SHOCK Tragedy as goalkeeper, 27, found dead after going for swim with his girlfriend Even among the 31 players who ARE listed as first-teamers by Chelsea, there are big names like Christopher Nkunku who could yet find themselves leaving before the transfer window closes on September 1. Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk, who is facing a ban for failings a drugs test, DOES still have a profile pic - albeit wearing last season's kit. Add in the six players already sent out on loan, and the Blues have a huge number of players - and agents - to juggle. And that's before they make further signings, with both RB Leipzig's Xavi Simons and Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho still in their sights. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Sterling, signed from Manchester City for £47.5m in 2022, and fellow former England star Ben Chilwell, a £50m arrival from Leicester in 2020, have been frozen out for more than a year. Sterling sealed an 11th-hour loan move to Arsenal last summer. Raheem Sterling shows his skills on the training pitch Chelsea first-team squad 2025-26 OFFICIAL FIRST-TEAM SQUAD FROM WEBSITE (31) Goalkeepers (3): Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Gaga Slonina Defenders (11): Marc Cucurella, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James, Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Aaron Anselmino, Josh Acheampong, Jorrel Hato Midfielders (7): Enzo Fernandez, Dario Essugo, Andrey Santos, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Moises Caicedo, Omari Kellyman, Romeo Lavia Forwards (10): Pedro Neto, Liam Delap, Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Joao Pedro, Tyrique George, Marc Guiu, Jamie Gittens, Mykhailo Mudryk ON LOAN (7) Goalkeepers (2): MIke Penders (Strasbourg), Teddy Sharman-Lowe (Bolton) Defenders (2): Mamadou Sarr (Strasbourg), Caleb Wiley (Watford) Midfielders (2): Leo Castledine (Huddersfield), Kendry Paez (Strasbourg) Forwards (1): Deivid Washington (Santos) NO OFFICIAL PROFILE (9) Defenders (4): Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga, Alfie Gilchrist Midfielders (2): Carney Chukwuemeka, Lesley Ugochukwu Forwards (3): Raheem Sterling, Armando Broja, David Datro Fofana Chilwell and Axel Disasi, a £38m signing from Monaco in 2023, spent the second half of the season on temporary deals at Crystal Palace and Aston Villa respectively. Midfielder Carney Chuwuemeka came from Villa in 2022 for an initial £15m and has returned to the training ground after spending six months at Borussia Dortmund. Likewise midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu, a £23.5m signing from Strasbourg in 2023, is into his third week working at Cobham after coming back from a season-long stay at Southampton. Of the Chelsea players who went out on loan last season, Renato Veiga probably did the most to enhance his value, during a six-month spell at Juventus. But the Portugal international, whose proposed big money move to Atletico Madrid appears to have collapsed, did not do enough to earn a spot on the Blues' website. The same applies to forgotten Ivorian forward David Datro Fofana. 5 Axel Disasi is one of nine players set to be let go Credit: Alamy 5 Armando Broja's Chelsea career appears to be over Credit: Getty The £10.5m signing from Molde in January 2023 returned early from a loan at Turkish club Goztepe last season after suffering a significant injury. DDF has been back training for a while but is another player on his way out at Chelsea. Club bosses have plenty to do to make sure Maresca has a squad of a manageable size. Former Blues boss Graham Potter revealed he had so many players at one point that some of them had to sit on the floor for team meetings. Play Dream Team now! Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season Free to play Over £100,000 in total prize money Play in Mini Leagues against your mates Submit a team for Gameweek 1 to enter £5,000 prize draw Play via Dream Team's app or website today!

Fernandes slams 'lazy' Man Utd team-mates and demands more signings
Fernandes slams 'lazy' Man Utd team-mates and demands more signings

Irish Daily Mirror

time16 hours ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

Fernandes slams 'lazy' Man Utd team-mates and demands more signings

Bruno Fernandes slammed Manchester United for being "lazy" following their final pre-season tour fixture and demanded the club bring in fresh signings before the new campaign kicks off. United managed a 2-2 stalemate with Everton at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium to clinch the Premier League Summer Series, having previously beaten West Ham and Bournemouth. Fernandes, who played the full 90 minutes, opened the scoring from the penalty spot, but Ruben Amorim's side let their lead slip twice, sparking a scathing reaction from the skipper. "It's improving, but it's not where we want it to be," said Fernandes. "It's a game of football, there's always passion there. Whatever happens, happens. There was nothing spicy there, it's normal, it is part of the game. "It's been positive [the US tour] and it's good to create a bond with the players. We looked a bit lazy today and we need to change that. I don't want to have a dig at anyone, but I think the club is doing the best they can in terms of all the financial situations they talk about. "I don't know about it, I'm not involved in that. But obviously it was crystal clear we needed more competition for the players that were here. We needed more quality to get everyone to step up a bit more and to have more to do to get into the starting line-up. I think that's what the club and the manager are trying to do and hopefully we can get one or two players more to help with that.", reports the Express. United finished the previous campaign in a dire 15th position, representing their poorest showing in half a century, with Fernandes admitting that a transformation in approach and mindset was essential following such a catastrophic season. Bruno Fernandes holds the Summer Series League trophy (Image: (Image: Getty Images)) "It's every detail, every small detail matters," Fernandes emphasised. "At this football club you can't do anything wrong on the pitch and off the pitch, because it's too big worldwide and you get punished by that. "You get the attention of the media and your fans and you have to be aware of that. "At this club the culture here was winning and we need to bring that back. Not only the winning mentality that we need, and I think that's always been there, but obviously if you don't win you don't show it. "The club is trying to improve other things, the facilities have improved, we tried to improve the team, the staff, a lot of things. A lot of people have suffered from this, a lot of people who had been working at the club for many, many years had to go. "The fans are paying more for tickets and we appreciate all the effort they put in for us so now it's up to us to pay it back on the pitch." Amorim welcomed Fernandes' honest observations, suggesting that his skipper understands the monumental task ahead for United to resume challenging for major silverware. "I'm happy for the players to have that feeling," Amorim stated. "It's saying that they understand the situation. So it's a good feeling. It's understanding that in this club, everything is ups and downs. We understand that, but I prefer that feeling [the ups] than the other side."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store