Real Madrid are close to completing the signing of River Plate star Franco Mastantuono, sources have told ESPN, with the playmaker expected to arrive in August, after playing for River at the Club World Cup.

Real Madrid have agreed to sign River Plate's young forward Franco Mastantuono for an initial fee of about $45 million, a spokesman for the Argentine club told Reuters on Thursday.

Real Madrid have reportedly won the race to sign Argentine wonderkid Franco Mastantuono. The 17-year-old currently plies his trade at River Plate, where he has proved a sensation, fast emerging as one of the world’s best young players,