The Real Madrid-bound Franco Mastantuono would probably have been much outside Southampton’s then-Premier League-powered transfer budget, even in the heyday of Luke Shaw, Sadio Mane, and Virgil van Dijk.
The River Plate sensation has agreed to a £39 million agreement with the fifteen-time European Champions.
Southampton is more interested in Lucas Cepeda, who is apparently available for about a tenth of the price Real Madrid will pay to bring Mastantuono to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Colo-Colo forward Cepeda might be the next player to leave Southampton after Joshua Quarshie became their first summer acquisition.
That is assuming Real Madrid hasn’t just put an impassable barrier in the way of the Saints’ pursuit of Mastantuono while fending off rivals Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United for the much sought-after signing.
Southampton’s Lucas Cepeda bid complicates matters for Real Madrid.
Over the past few days, Southampton has intensified their chase of Lucas Cepeda, according to South American reporter Thiago Alvarez Rico. From the shores of the Solent, a “formal offer” has now reached Colo-Colo.
Although the Chilean team has “decided to sell” their valuable asset, Colo-Colo is unwilling to lower their asking price of £5 million. Southampton’s initial offer of £4 million falls barely short of that amount.
Alvarez Rico states on his official X website that “the next few days will be crucial.”
However, Real Madrid enters the picture and makes things more difficult.
Cepeda seems to have become the preferred replacement for Franco Mastantuono for the Argentine powerhouse River Plate. Additionally, Southampton is unlikely to have it all their own way in their pursuit of a player who has three goals in his first seven caps for the Chilean national team, especially with a £39 million windfall burning a hole in their pocket.
Reporter Renzo Pantich tells AZZ that River will do everything in its power to support Lucas Cepeda.
Chile star Lucas Cepeda prepares to quit Colo-Colo this summer
Cepeda, formerly of Santiago Wanderers, helped Colo-Colo win the Chilean league in 2024 with eight goals and four assists.
Cepeda’s “outstanding performances have amazed everyone and made him the star of the transfer market,” according to local daily 100DaleAlbo. The 22-year-old, a left-footed wideman who plays on the left, is somewhat of a throwback.
Cepeda is endowed with a powerful long-range shot and the courage to try his luck against any opponent.
Cepeda stated last month that he wanted to leave Chilean football for a more prestigious tournament, saying, “I’ve seen everything that’s been said on social media [about my future].”
“It’s welcome if it occurs. I’d like to take the plunge. I believe the time has come. If there is a chance to quit Colo-Colo, I will take it; if not, I will continue to work. I hope something positive occurs so we can fulfil the ambition of playing [abroad], which is a wish shared by all children.
Max Johnston, a right-back from Sturm Graz, is joining players like Lucas Cepeda on Southampton’s radar as they attempt to rebuild their roster in the style of Will Still. The club is once again focussing on young, hungry players with significant resale value.
Leave a Reply