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Manchester City set to beat Barça and Real Madrid to signing of Argentine prodigy Claudio Echeverri
The 17-year-old playmaker is considered one of world soccer’s hottest prospects and starred at the recent u-17 World Cup.
Argentine prodigy Claudio Echeverri, one of the stars of the recent u-17 World Cup, is set to join Manchester City from River Plate, with last season’s Premier League and Champions League winners having seemingly fought off competition from Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea.
The 17-year-old has long been touted as one of South America and indeed world soccer’s hottest prospects but has only made six first-team appearances for the Buenos Aires-based club, making his first start in Saturday’s Trofeo de Campeones - effectively an Argentine Super Cup - victory over Rosario Central.
Teenager “won’t sign new River Plate contract”
In the immediate aftermath of the game, the playmaker caught everyone off guard by revealing he wouldn’t be signing a new deal with River but that he would be willing to stay for “six months or a year”, seemingly unhappy at not having had more first-time opportunities, despite his tender years.
What is Echeverri’s release clause?
Echeverri’s contract runs until December 2024 and reportedly contains a €25 million ($27.6 million) release clause, which the Argentine side had been hoping to increase by convincing him to sign a new deal. There were suggestions Barça, whose interest appeared more serious than Madrid’s, were prepared to pay €30 million ($33.1 million) to secure his services, but it now seems the teenager will be heading to City, with the Catalans still hampered by Financial Fair Play issues. The attacking midfielder has previously included he would like to play for the LaLiga giants.
According to Italian journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Pep Guardiola’s side “are advancing to the final stages” of a deal for Echeverri, which would see the youngster stay at River Plate on loan until next summer or January 2025. The English side concluded a similar transfer for Argentine striker Julián Álvarez, who moved to Manchester in July 2022 having agreed a move in January.
What kind of player is the Argentine?
Known for his close control, dribbling skills and vision, Echevrri has drawn inevitable comparisons with Lionel Messi, although he is naturally right footed. The River product captained Argentina at the recent u-17 World Cup in Indonesia and scored five goals in the tournament, including a hat-trick against arch rivals Brazil in the quarter-finals.