Exclusive: Newcastle join race for River Plate wonderkid

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe. Photo by Shutterstock.

Newcastle United are keen on signing River Plate midfielder Franco Mastantuono this summer.

The Magpies will face competition from the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund for the highly-rated Argentine.

River Plate have been working on getting the 16-year-old to sign a new long-term, but any offers have so far been rejected.

The Argentine side could be ready to let the youngster leave the club for around £35million, if they are unable to tie him down to a new deal before the summer transfer window.

Barcelona are favorites to sign the midfielder this summer, but their financial problems could see them being unable to sign the youngster.

Newcastle see Mastantuono as a potential long-term replacement for Bruno Guimaraes, who has been linked with a move away from the club in recent transfer windows.