Liverpool expected to be in touch about signing ‘the next Phil Foden’ coming through in South America

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Liverpool do not have the best record when it comes to spotting talent in South America.

Though the Reds have had, and still do have, some top players from the continent, they have often overlooked emerging youngsters.

There have been reports that Liverpool have sent scouts to Brazil in recent times as they explore how they can make better use of the South American market.

But despite lengthy links to players such as Andre, who ultimately ended up at Wolves, Liverpool are yet to truly take a punt on one of the ‘next big thing’s’ to come out of Argentina, Brazil or any of their neighbours.

Argentine left-back Julio Soler is supposedly on Liverpool’s radar, however, and according to reports out of the country, the Reds have another top prospect in their sights, too.

As they continue to look at bolstering their forward line, Liverpool are reportedly keeping a close eye on River Plate sensation Franco Mastantuono.

Liverpool pondering Franco Mastantuono bid

Mastantuono is certainly a young player with a big reputation. And why not, he has already played 40 times for River having only turned 17 in August.

And according to Argentine outlet River Noticias, his emergence has led to interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

They claim that Liverpool have now ‘joined the list’ of clubs looking at Mastantuono. It’s a list that reportedly includes Real Madrid and Barcelona as well.

However, the Buenos Aires giants are said to have no intention of letting the youngster go.

READ MORE: Liverpool eyeing Brazilian attacker who beat Luis Suarez to award this year

If any of the interested parties are serious about Mastantuono, it’s said that they will have to pay his release clause in full. This reportedly amounts to around £39m.

For the moment, the outlet claim that there has been no contact from Liverpool for the 17-year-old. Despite that, there is said to be some anticipation that a move will come before the end of the year from the Reds.

After that, Mastantuono’s future could reportedly be ‘firmed up’ in January.

Franco Mastantuono, the next Phil Foden?

Mastantuono would be an exciting player for Liverpool to take a punt on out of South America.

The teenager is a tricky and quick forward player who tends to operate from the right for River.

His left-footedness is interesting, given that Liverpool could of course soon be looking for a replacement for Mohamed Salah on that side.

It is also part of the reason GOAL claimed that Mastantuono bears a ‘striking’ resemblance to Manchester City’s Phil Foden.

The River youngster is said to have a similar ‘shifty ability on the ball’ and ‘footballing IQ to make things happen in tight areas’. GOAL interestingly compare Mastantuono to Dominik Szoboszlai, too, citing his appetite for ‘charging into space and having a crack at goal.’