Manchester City are ‘closing in on the signing’ of Argentine teenage sensation Claudio Echeverri… who has already been compared to Lionel Messi despite playing only FOUR games for River Plate
- Claudio Echeverri has played just four games for River Plate
- The teenager played for Argentina at the Under-17 World Cup
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Manchester City are on the verge of signing Argentinian teenage sensation Claudio Echeverri, who has already been labeled as the 'next Lionel Messi'.
According to ESPNThe Premier League champions have held formal talks with River Plater over the 17-year-old midfielder and the two clubs are nearing an agreement.
Echeverri has made just four appearances for River this season, totaling 72 minutes of football, but also featured in the Under-17 World Cup last month.
The teenager scored five goals in the tournament – the second most after teammate Agustin Ruberto – as the Albiceleste finished fourth.
Echeverri is still under contract with River until December next year, but ESPN indicated that he is unlikely to sign a new contract.
Manchester City are leading the race to sign teenage sensation Claudio Echeverri
The midfielder has also attracted interest from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan.
Any deal is expected to see the teenager go on loan to the Argentine club until the end of the season, along the lines of the deal that brought Julian Alvarez to England last year.
City signed the Argentine from River for £18m in January 2022, but loaned him back to the South American giants for the remainder of the season.
Alvarez was much more experienced than Echeverri and had made 122 appearances with 54 goals and 31 assists to his name by the time he left Argentina.
The 23-year-old eventually moved to the Etihad before the start of last season and scored 17 goals in 49 games in all competitions as City won the Treble.
Meanwhile, City could be celebrating with Kalvin Phillips, with the midfielder wanted by both Newcastle and Juventus.
The England international has struggled to get first-team opportunities since joining from Leeds for £45 million last summer and has made just 10 appearances in all competitions this season.
The 17-year-old has been dubbed the 'next Lionel Messi' after playing for Argentina at the Under-17 World Cup last month
Echeverri has played just 72 minutes of football in four senior games for River Plate
His only two starts came in the Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle in September and the win over Red Star Belgrade in the final match of the Champions League group stage earlier this month.
Pep Guardiola admitted Phillips' opportunities are likely to remain limited due to Rodri's presence in the squad and has made it clear he would not keep players at City against their wishes.
The midfielder admitted in October that he would 'have to make a decision' [my future] in the coming months and it seems almost certain that he will leave City in January.
Mail Sport reported earlier this month that Juventus were leading the race for the 28-year-old.
Newcastle and more than a dozen other English and European clubs are said to have shown interest, but the chance to play under Massimo Allegri in Turin is appealing.