River Plate Wiretap

River Plate 17-year-old star Franco Mastantuono has signed with Real Madrid and will join the club in August. Madrid had tracked the Argentina international for two years, along with a number of other top European clubs.

Paris Saint-Germain had moved closer to signing Mastantuono this month before Madrid moved quickly. Mastantuono will play for River at the Club World Cup.

Mastantuono becomes Madrid's third signing of the summer after Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Mastantuono scored four goals and provided four assists for River in 12 appearances in the first phase of Argentina's first division this year. 

Manchester City have signed 18-year-old River Plate midfielder Claudio Echeverri. 

The deal is worth around $15.9 million plus add-ons. 

Echeverri also received interest from Barcelona. 

The deal City have agreed for Echeverri is similar to the arrangement that eventually brought Julian Alvarez to the Etihad.

Manchester City are closing in on the signing of 17-year-old midfielder Claudio Echeverri from River Plate.

Echeverri would likely be loaned back to River Plate until at least the end of the Premier League season. 

Echeverri is also receiving interest from Barcelona.

Manchester City are close so signing Julian Alvarez from River Plate.

AC Milan has also had strong interest in signing Alvarez.

Sources have told ESPN the overall cost of the transfer could be less than £20 million.

Until he is ready to move to England, City will consider loaning him back to River Plate or arranging another loan elsewhere.

Javier Mascherano announced his retirement from soccer on Sunday.

The 36-year-old is the most-capped player in Argentina national team history.

"I lived my profession 100%, to the maximum that I possibly can, and for a while now that has been getting harder. Sometimes you don't choose the end, it happens all by itself," said Mascherano.

Mascherano won 19 trophies over a eight year span at Barcelona. 

Bayer Leverkusen signed River Plate midfielder Exequiel Palacios to a five-year deal.

The 21-year-old will join the club in January.

Palacios was at one time rumored to be signing with Real Madrid, although he has suffered injuries since.

The transfer fee is said to be around $16.7 million.

Flamengo beat River Plate 2-1 to win the 2019 Copa Libertadores Final.

Gabriel Barbosa, on loan from Inter, scored 2 goals in the 89th and 92nd minute to lead Flamengo to the title.

Rafael Santos Borre opened scoring for River Plate in the 14th minute.

Barcelona are lining up Marcelo Gallardo to replace Ernesto Valverde as Barcelona manager in December, according to reports in Argentina.

Gallardo is currently preparing River Plate to play in their second consecutive Copa Libertadores final.

Valverde is reportedly on the hot seat after a slow start to the Barcelona season.

The Copa Libertadores final has been moved from Chile to Peru amid protests in Santiago.

The final will be contested on November 23rd between Flamengo and River Plate in Lima.

"The choice of the new location is based on the Peruvian government's offer of security guarantees. The decision was a consensus with the presidents of Flamengo and River Plate, from the confederations of Argentina, Brazil and Chile, and thus the policy of holding the single finals in different countries was maintained," released CONMEBOL in a statement.

Atlanta United have unveiled Pity Martinez as their latest signing.

The 25-year-old Martinez was named the South American Player of the Year for 2018 after leading River Plate to the Copa Libertadores title.

"We're excited to announce we've secured Gonzalo to a long-term contract with our club. Recently named as the best player in South America in 2018, Gonzalo is an attacking player who can play wide or centrally. His abilities complement our style of play and we expect him to make a smooth transition to MLS," said Atlanta Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra. 

Martinez replaces Miguel Almiron as Atlanta's main playmaker.