Manchester City are now close to signing Claudio Echeverri from River Plate – after receiving a nudge from Chelsea.
That is according to 90min.
So, what was said about Claudio Echeverri and Chelsea as Manchester City close in? Let’s take a look…
Chelsea scare Manchester City into accelerating Claudio Echeverri deal
Well – according to the Mirror – Manchester City were confident about signing the Argentinian wonderkid thanks to a strong relationship with River Plate.
However – as sources told 90min – late interest from Chelsea is believed to have left the Citizens feeling a little wary, so talks to sign Echeverri have now intensified with a deal close.
It is said that Barcelona also showed a desire to sign the 17-year-old.
In fear of a late hijack attempt from either side, Manchester City have accelerated negotiations with River Plate, and thankfully, that appears to have worked.
90min claim that Echeverri is now likely to be loaned back to River Plate until the summer – or even until the end of 2024 – in what is a similar agreement to the £14.1m signing of Julian Alvarez in January 2022.
The Argentina Under-17 international recently put his name up in lights at the Under-17 World Cup, where he scored a memorable hat trick in the Quarter-Final win over rivals Brazil.
According to The Athletic, Manchester City will spend around £17.5m on Echeverri.
Manchester City could do further business with River Plate
Echeverri is not the only prospect at River Plate who Manchester City are looking at.
90min add that Agustin Ruberto and Ian Subiabre are also of interest to the FIFA Club World Cup winners, as Txiki Begiristain attempts to snap up three of South America’s best young talents.
Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as Manchester City look set to be active in the January transfer window.
