Real Madrid have been made hot favourites for the signature of 16-year-old talent Franco Mastantuono in recent weeks, but the race may not be over yet.

According to reports in Argentina, referenced by MD, Chelsea are willing to battle for his signature, with their considerable financial might. Mastantuono has a release clause of €45m that rises to €50m in the final 10 days of the transfer window.

Los Blancos opened talks with him last week according to multiple reports, and earlier on Monday, it emerged that Mastantuono will prioritise a move to Real Madrid. Head Scout Juni Calafat has held talks with the River Plate starlet, while General Manager Jose Angel Sanchez has been in touch with the club.

Even if Chelsea are willing to pay Mastantuono’s release clause, they will have to contend with Calafat’s remarkable record of tying up deals for Latin America’s brightest talents, as has been the case with Rodrygo Goes, Vinicius Junior, Endrick Felipe and Reinier Jesus. Since Neymar Junior went to Barcelona, they have won the vast majority of races they have been in.

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