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Claudio Echeverri | Manchester City continue to pursue Argentine talent from River Plate, as talks between the club and the player continue.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is ‘pushing’ to sign River Plate and Argentina teenager Claudio Echeverri.
Manchester City are scouting the region for potential January additions to Pep Guardiola’s squad after beating South American champions Fluminense to win the FIFA Club World Cup in Jeddah on Friday evening.
Ahead of the January transfer window, a number of European teams are showing an interest in the young Argentine duo of Valentin Barco and Claudio Echeverri, including the Sky Blues.
Echeverri, who recently announced that he would not be renewing his contract with River Plate, will turn 18 in January and would thus be eligible for an overseas transfer.
The attacking midfielder has made six first-team appearances for River Plate and has represented Argentina Under-17s, drawing comparisons to Argentina and Barcelona legend Lionel Messi.
Claudio Echeverri | The Argentine Wonderkid
According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City ‘keep pushing’ to sign the 17-year-old, with contacts continuing between the club and the player’s side.
Echeverri is also being pursuing by Chelsea and Barcelona. However, Financial Fair Play makes any agreement “difficult” for the Catalan team to close.
Chelsea are likely to make additions during the January transfer window. They are ‘keen and interested’ in signing Echeverri, despite Manchester City’s pursuit of the midfielder.
Since several seasons, Pep Guardiola is working closely with South American imports Julian Alvarez and Gabriel Jesus. On the other hand, Yan Couto is doing admirably on loan within the City Football Group.
Alvarez scored twice in Manchester City’s Club World Cup Final victory, giving him six goals in six competitions since joining the Etihad Stadium from River Plate.
It was previously reported that City’s offer to River Plate for Echeverri could be similar to the one that landed Alvarez, with the Blues open to deals that would allow the 17-year-old to stay in Argentina until a later date.
