Chelsea target Claudio Echeverri of River Plate close to sealing a move to Manchester City
In what would be their second signing from River Plate in the last two years, Manchester City are edging closer to sealing a deal for attacking midfielder Claudio Echeverri aka the ‘Next Lionel Messi’ who also sees himself on the transfer radar of Chelsea.
According to ESPN, Manchester City have held talks with the player’s representatives and any potential deal would see him loaned back to River Plate until the end of this season. The arrangement of the deal is similar to that of Julian Alvarez, who agreed to a deal with City in January of 2022, joining Pep Guardiola’s side in July of 2022.
For Chelsea, the fact that Echeverri and his reps are close to agreeing a deal with City surely comes as a huge blow. Not only are we missing out on a transfer target, he is making a move to our direct rivals.
Moreover, Echeverri has indicated to River Plate that he is unlikely to sign a new contract with his existing deal set to expire in December 2024 (Transfermarkt).
Playing as an attacking midfielder for River Plate, Echeverri’s style of play aligns with City’s vision, potentially positioning him as a successor to key figures like Kevin de Bruyne or Bernardo Silva.
As the captain of the Argentina U17 side, Echeverri boasts an impressive record, tallying 13 goals and five assists in 22 appearances across various competitions. His skill set and leadership qualities make him an appealing prospect for top clubs, prompting interest from Chelsea, only to face a potential snag with City’s imminent move.
For Chelsea, the challenge lies in regrouping and identifying alternative targets as the January transfer window approaches. The competition for top talents remains fierce, and the Blues must navigate this setback strategically to strengthen their squad for the challenges ahead.
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There can be a case that Chelsea do not need any reinforcements but let’s see what the upcoming transfer window brings along with it.