Liverpool must pick between £30m and £40m wonderkids as manager’s ‘plan is to sell one’

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Virgil van Dijk or Mohamed Salah? Of the two Premier League greats, who would Liverpool have preferred to keep beyond the summer transfer window?

The man destined to walk away with not only a Premier League winners’ medal but another Golden Boot? Or the £75 million colossus who, even as his 34th birthday approaches, can still be considered the finest central defender in world football?

Fortunately, and much to Arne Slot’s relief, this is not a decision Liverpool will have to make.

Because while Trent Alexander-Arnold looks destined for Real Madrid, both Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk are staying at Anfield for at least another couple of seasons. The Dutchman followed his long-standing Egyptian teammate this week when putting pen to paper on a new two-year deal.

And, if you had told Slot a few weeks ago that two of Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold would still be wearing red come 2025/26, one suspects this is an arrangement the former Feyenoord coach may have been inclined to accept.

While over in Argentina, as Liverpool scout some of South America’s most exciting attacking talents, River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo appears hopeful if realistic about the futures of both Ian Subiabre and Franco Mastantuono.

Liverpool eye River Plate duo Ian Subiabre and Franco Mastantuono

Football correspondent Graeme Bailey told RTK back in February that Liverpool watched Subiabre and Augustin Ruberto in action for Argentina at the recent Under-20 South American Championships. The aforementioned Franco Mastantuono is on Liverpool’s radar too.

All three represent River Plate, one of South America’s most historic footballing institutions.

And while Ruberto has plenty of admirers, Subiabre and Mastantuono appear the most likely to make way at this stage.

As reporter Jonathan Riniti explains, Gallardo accepts that at least one of his baby-faced wonderkids will head for the exit. The plan, however, is for the sale of Mastantuono to allow River Plate to retain Subiabre, or vice versa.

“It’s either [Subiabre who will be sold] or Mastantuono,” Riniti tells El Crack Deportivo. “River Plate know there could be suitable offers for Subiabre, so Marcelo Gallardo’s plan is to sell one but not both.

“That is why [River president] Jorge Brito is waiting for the coach’s request.”

Despote joining from Lille over a decade ago for as little as £10 million, Divock Origi remains the most expensive teenager in Liverpool’s history. That would change, however, if The Reds can agree a deal for one of River’s rising stars.

Mastantuono, having also caught the eye of Real Madrid, Manchester United and more while drawing comparisons with Man City superstar Phil Foden, recently saw his release clause increased to £40 million.

Argentina starlet Subiabre could cost Liverpool £30m

River are expected to give Subiabre the same treatment.

“River are looking to increase Subiabre’s release clause to 40 million dollars [£30m], as they did with Franco Mastantuono,” Riniti said last week. “They know [Subiabre] is the club’s future. [But] he is one coach Marcelo Gallardo could lose.”

River would receive a cool £70 million windfall by cashing in on both of their much-coveted forwards. Not that they have any intention of letting both players go in the same transfer window, of course.

Then again, if those release clauses are triggered, neither Gallardo nor Brito would have any real option of standing in their way.

Subiabre scored three times, meanwhile, as Argentina lost out to Brazil at the Under-20 South American Championships. Claudio Echeverri, another River Plate graduate who joined Manchester City for up to £21.7 million, found the net on six occasions.

Colombian sensation Neiser Villarreal claimed the Golden Boot with eight. RTK understands that Villarreal, a 19-year-old winger who represents Millionaires, is another under consideration at Liverpool.