Chelsea could be about to spend big on yet another South American teenager.
Chelsea have already agreed a deal with Palmeiras to sign Estevao Willian, which could see them pay more than £50m in total.
Estevao has been compared to Lionel Messi and is set to officially join Chelsea next year when he turns 18.
One of Messi’s compatriots is now being linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, though he is unlikely to come cheap.
Photo by ALEJANDRO PAGNI/AFP via Getty ImagesChelsea want Franco Mastantuono
River Plate attacking midfielder Franco Mastantuono could be the next South American talent Chelsea sign.
According to River Noticias, the Blues are planning to go all out to land the 17-year-old, who has a €45m (£37m) release clause in his contract.
A move to west London would see Mastantuono link up with countryman Aaron Anselmino. Chelsea signed Anselmino from Boca Juniors in the summer before loaning him back to the Argentine club.
Since Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali took over Chelsea, the South American market is one that the club have really tapped into.
Franco Mastantuono’s strengths
Mastantuono is a young attacking midfielder with a lot of talent. It is no surprise that Chelsea are looking at him at the moment.
The Argentina youth international can dribble and play the ball forward, which is what you would expect from someone playing in his position.
According to FBref, Mastantuono is making 6.63 progressive passes and completing 3.43 successful take-ons per 90 minutes.
Some of Franco Mastantuono’s stats over the last yearPer 90 minutesShot-creating actions6.24Progressive passes6.63Successful take-ons3.43Progressive passes received 10.14
With Estevao coming in and Chelsea already having a wealth of attacking talent, though, it is not quite clear where Mastantuono would fit in.
The No.10 role belongs to Cole Palmer, and Estevao has revealed that his preferred position is also behind the striker.
For all of this talent, though, even he will not be able to oust Palmer out of the team. The 22-year-old has been phenomenal this season, with Maresca suggesting that Palmer is the Premier League’s best player.