The dust has barely settled on a largely productive summer window, but that has not stopped Dan Ashworth from plotting his next foray into the transfer battleground.
Manchester United has long navigated every football field on the planet, attempting to uproot unique talents that have yet to hear their name called in anger on European shores.
Unfortunately, a naive collection of previous high-ranking individuals avoided ‘taking risks’ on potential gems, instead focusing on overpaid novelties for short-term gains.
There is much to be said about the benefits of foresight and profiting from a lucrative scouting network – something United have allowed to fall by the wayside in recent years.
However, in Argentinian starlet Franco Mastantuono, United’s new Sporting Director has identified a remarkable talent who is plying his trade with South American giants River Plate.
Determined to target a highly profitable market
Mastantuono has scaled the ranks at Los Millonarios since he arrived in 2019, impressing coaches with his blend of attacking charisma and flair.
Having penned his first professional deal in August 2023, Martin Demichelis rewarded the then-16-year-old starlet by integrating him into his first-team squad.
Following a significant period of notably impressive performances in pre-season outings and credible showings in senior sessions, the Buenos Aires boy became the third-youngest debutant on the club’s senior stage in January.
His star continued to rise, beating the record previously held by the legendary Javier Saviola when he netted his first goal a month later at the tender age of 16.
In an attempt to safeguard the undeniable talent at their disposal, La Banda tied the teenager into a deal unto 2026 with the competition’s largest release clause of €50 million.
When considering his style, the Azul boy thrives on late runs and the creation of space behind the defensive back line.
Reserve team assistant Pablo Fernandez has previously hailed his striking ability, paying particular attention to his technique from set pieces.
A regular face on the Argentina under-17 panel, his growth has seen inclusion in the under-20 team, with many anticipating a senior birth in the coming months.
Sources close to the Theatre of Red have confirmed the player is one of many prospective youngsters being considered from the region, with senior officials keen to erase past failures – such as Julian Alvarez.
The attention to a thriving market supplies further evidence of the impact made by Sir Jim Ratclifee’s best-in-class hierarchy.
How do you feel about the prospect of Dan Ashworth targeting the South American market?
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