- Claudio Echeverri has played just four games for River Plate
- The teenager starred for Argentina at the Under-17 World Cup
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Manchester City are on the verge of signing of teenage Argentine sensation Claudio Echeverri, who has already been labelled as the ‘next Lionel Messi’.
According to ESPN, the 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 for a total of 72 minutes of football, but starred at the at the Under-17 World Cup last month.
The teenager scored five goals in the tournament – the second-most behind teammate Agustin Ruberto – as the Albiceleste finished fourth.
Echeverri is under contract with River until December next year but ESPN indicated he is unlikely to sign a new deal.
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 loaned back to the Argentine club until the end of the season, along the lines of the agreement that brought Julian Alvarez to England last year.
City signed the Argentine from River for £18million in January 2022, but loaned him back to the South American giants for the remainder of the campaign.
Alvarez was far more experienced then Echeverri, having racked up 122 appearances with 54 goals and 31 assists to his name by the time he left Argentina.
The 23-year-old eventually moved to Etihad before the start of last season, scoring 17 goals in 49 appearances in all competitions as City won the Treble.
Meanwhile, City could be partying ways with Kalvin Phillips, with the midfielder wanted by both Newcastle and Juventus.
The England international has found first team opportunities hard to come by since joining from Leeds for £45m last summer and has made just 10 appearances in all competitions this season.
The 17-year-old has been dubbed as the ‘next Lionel Messi’ after starring for Argentina at the Under-17 World Cup last month
Echeverri has played just 72 minutes of football across four senior games for River Plate
His only two starts have come in the Carabao Cup defeat against Newcastle in September and in the win over Red Star Belgrade in the final game of the group stages of the Champions League earlier this month.
Pep Guardiola admitted opportunities are likely to remain limited for Phillips because of Rodri’s presence in side and has made clear he would not keep players at City against their wish.
The midfielder admitted in October he was ‘going to have to make a decision on [my future] over the next months’ and looks almost certain to leave City in January.
Mail Sport reported earlier this month that Juventus were leading the race for the 28-year-old.
Newcastle and over a dozen other English and European clubs are understood to have registered interest but the chance to play in Turin under Massimo Allegri appeals.