Newcastle now interested in 16-year-old midfielder who has just matched Sergio Aguero’s record

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Newcastle United are now looking to add a very exciting, young midfielder to their ranks this summer ahead of the new season.

Since the takeover went through in 2021 Newcastle have placed a huge emphasis on buying for the future and many of their signings lately have been made with that in mind.

A new report from On The Minute now claims that the Magpies have joined the race for River Plate midfielder Franco Mastantuono who is attracting a lot of attention lately having made his debut at just 16-years-old.

Newcastle tracking impressive teenage midfielder

Mastantuono is only at the very beginning of his footballing career but he is already making a huge impression on some of Europe’s top clubs after his displays in Argentina recently.

In August 2023, the youngster signed a new two-year deal with River Plate which included a £26m release clause as they looked to protect one of their most exciting prospects, and now they’re hoping he will sign a new deal.

As early as September he was then called up to the first team by head coach Martin Demichelis, a former Premier League winner with Man City, and made his official first-team debut in January 2024 as a substitute.

Just a month later he became River Plate’s youngest ever scorer and the joint-second youngest in Argentinian football history, matching Sergio Agureo’s record and only being beaten by Diego Maradona.

Now, a number of huge clubs are hoping to bring him in the summer with Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund all battling alongside Newcastle for the teenager.

Mastantuono would be a huge coup for Newcastle

Not only would Newcastle be getting a very talented player in Mastantuono, signing him would also make a huge statement to the rest of the footballing world that the Geordies mean business for the long term.

Newcastle made some brilliant and astute signings in the last few windows, though for the most part there have had to fight off little competition for their star players.

It’s unlikely, but should they somehow manage to fend off the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona for the 16-year-old midfielder, Newcastle would have to be considered a real problem for these big club.

Given his talent, he may even have a straight path to the first team rather than developing in the academy first, though it’s not clear how he would fit in Eddie Howe’s plans.