'Catch me first' 16-year-old who has world's top clubs desperate...Barca-Real battle for Argentine 'wonderkid'

Spain's two top clubs, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, are expected to engage in a fierce off-field battle for the 16-year-old Young Gun.

According to Spanish media outlets on Friday (KST), Barcelona has initiated contact with La Liga rivals Real Madrid in a bid to beat them in the race to sign the South American wonderkid whose stock has surged in recent days.

The 'wonderkid' in question is Franco Mastantuono, a playmaker for River Plate in Argentina. At just 16 years old, he has been a standout for the first team this season.

As interest in Mastantuono grew, River Plate began tapping away at their calculators, according to local media, looking to increase his buyout clause.

In fact, River Plate are reportedly planning to extend Mastantuono's contract until December 2026 and have included a buyout clause worth €45 million in the contract, with another €5 million added on the final day of the transfer window.

More recently, reports have suggested that Real Madrid have decided that Mastantuono is worth a move this summer. English side Manchester United have also been linked with a move.

Of the three big names, 스포츠토토 Barcelona is the one that has made a concrete move, and has reportedly contacted Mastantuono's agent to discuss a transfer, according to Sport.

The Catalan club has been monitoring Mastantuono for a long time and has decided that he has the talent to become a player of a generation.

There is a catch. Barcelona doesn't have the financial wherewithal at the moment. That's why they're trying to convince Mastantuono to agree to a deal that would see him join the club after 2025. The plan is to reorganize the squad until 2025 in order to have the funds to sign Mastantuono.

Real Madrid are ready to sign Mastantuono immediately, but will allow him to stay in Argentina for another year.

"Barcelona will insist that Mastantuono will get more opportunities in the first team," Sport added.