Liverpool is currently leading Real Madrid in the competition to sign a £41 million prodigy who resembles the style of Palmer…

Liverpool is currently ahead of Real Madrid in the pursuit of £41 million prospect Franco Mastantuono, who is being compared to Cole Palmer.

The race for a £41 million young talent, who shares characteristics with Palmer, sees Liverpool in the forefront ahead of Real Madrid.

The Premier League has observed with admiration as Cole Palmer’s career has soared at Chelsea, following his transfer in 2023 after being overlooked by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Had the reigning champions retained such a remarkable talent, the landscape could have been quite different, potentially placing Liverpool in a fierce title battle with City.

Currently, the Reds find themselves in a strong position in the 2024/25 title race, while City has experienced a notable downturn.

Although Arne Slot’s team is performing well, there is still room for enhancement at Anfield.

If Liverpool were to secure a player of Palmer’s caliber, who is energizing Chelsea’s unexpected success, they could elevate their performance to an even more formidable level.

In transfer news, reports from Spain indicate that Liverpool is at the forefront of the competition for River Plate’s young star, Franco Mastantuono, despite Real Madrid’s interest.

The 17-year-old attacking midfielder has been making waves in Argentina and has attracted attention from clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea, but it appears Liverpool is currently in the lead.

River Plate is expected to demand €50 million (£41 million) for their prized asset, and while this is a considerable investment for a relatively unproven player, Liverpool should recognize the immense potential in acquiring one of South America’s brightest talents.

Mastantuono, despite his young age, has already shown remarkable promise.

River Plate is renowned for its ability to develop top-tier players, with notable alumni such as Enzo Fernandez and Julian Alvarez emerging from the club in Buenos Aires.

Considering his background as an Argentine attacking midfielder, it is natural for comparisons to be drawn with the legendary Lionel Messi.

However, a more nuanced analysis reveals that he possesses a distinct playing style.

Matantuono is indeed recognized for his exceptional technical abilities, yet he primarily focuses on playmaking, setting him apart from Messi, who has been renowned for his extraordinary ball-carrying skills since the early days of his career, a trait that remains evident today despite a slight decline in pace.

This is not to imply that Matantuono does not utilize his skills effectively; his remarkable free-kick for River Plate in early 2024, when he was just 16, is a testament to his talent.

Although he has recorded only three goals and three assists in 41 professional matches, it is clear that he has areas to improve.

Nonetheless, Mastantuono has shown that his playing style is well-suited for the demands of Premier League football.

He is often likened to Chelsea’s Palmer, and given the significant impact the England international has made since his £42.5 million transfer to the Blues, Liverpool would be prudent to pursue a similar acquisition to enhance their squad.

Trent Alexander-Arnold stands out as one of the premier playmakers globally, while the 32-year-old Mohamed Salah has adapted his game to increase his creative contributions as his physical attributes evolve. Liverpool would benefit from additional creativity in their midfield.

Palmer exemplifies this for Chelsea, ranking joint-second in the Premier League this season for big chances created, with a total of 12.

Analysts like Ben Mattinson have noted the parallels between the England international and the emerging Mastantuono, who fits the “Olise/Palmer mold,” suggesting he would be an ideal addition to complement Real Madrid’s star-studded attack.

Liverpool could also gain from this, as his exceptional passing ability may be ideally suited to Slot’s system, which is designed for longevity at Anfield.