Manchester United don’t seem to operate in the South American market quite like other top European clubs and now a few in the Premier League appearing to be using it as a pool for talent.
It’s usually the case that a young prodigy comes to Europe – we’ll use Benfica and FC Porto as examples – before that club makes a profit on his sale to one of the big clubs. I have always asked in recent years why we seem to wait for that to happen. Surely Manchester United have scouts watching the best talent across the world.
We waxed lyrical on the recent Stretty News podcast about young academy graduates like Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho, who are now blossoming in the first-team. There is a hunger for young talent at Old Trafford and there always has been.
These players could soon be joined by some of Argentina’s most promising talents, if recent reports are to be believed.
According to TyC Sports, as cited by Scouts in Attendance, United are scouting a group of four Argentine youngsters alongside other European giants including Real Madrid, Barcelona and Man City. The four players under the microscope are Franco Mastantuono and Iab Subiare from River Plate, Boca Juniors’ Aaron Anselmino, and Tomas Parmo from Independiente.
TyC Sports claim scouts from #mcfc #mufc #rmcf & #barca are following Argentina talents Franco Mastantuono, Ian Subiare (both River Plate), Tomas Parmo (Independiente) & Aaron Anselmino (Boca) https://t.co/9ODQ8gAwxp
— Scouts in Attendance (@scoutsattending) February 8, 2024
It’s early days in terms of the wait for the summer transfer window to open, but it makes sense for United to be sending more scouts to South America since we’ve missed out on a lot of talent there in recent years.
Aaron Aselmino
It was reported last month by Argentine outlet Planeta Boca Juniors that Anselmino, 18, has been subject of interest from the Reds as well as Serie A giants AC Milan. His contract doesn’t expire at Boca Juniors until 2028, although it is understood that his release clause is worth £15 million.
Iab Subiare and Franco Mastantuono
Subiare is an 17-year-old winger, while Mastantuono is a 16-year-old attacking midfielder. Mastantuono has already hit the back of the net in the Copa Argentina, despite his young age.
Tomas Parmo
A lot has been written about this kid, so we can expect other European clubs to be fishing around his signature. Regarded as one of Argentina’s most promising upcoming talents, therefore, all we need to do is get Garnacho to reach out?
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