Manchester City agree generous €9 million bonus package with new signing

Manchester City’s agreement with River Plate to sign midfielder Claudio Echeverri includes a series of game-time related bonuses.

The 18-year-old became Manchester City’s only signing of the January transfer window, agreeing a move to the Etihad Stadium from River Plate despite strong interest from Barcelona and Chelsea.

Echeverri will remain at River Plate on loan until at least December 2024, as the Argentina Under-17 star bids to become the latest South American prodigy to enjoy success at Manchester City, following in the recent footsteps of Julian Alvarez and Gabriel Jesus.

Alvarez, Jesus and Maximo Perrone have also recently moved from the Western Hemisphere to the Etihad Stadium, meanwhile Brazilian teenager Savio is set to move to the Sky Blues next summer, as part of an internal City Football Group transfer.

Echeverri notably captained Argentina at the recent Under-17 FIFA World Cup in November, scoring five goals – including a hat-trick against Brazil at the quarter-final stage.

City agreed an initial £12.5 million transfer with River Plate to sign the teenager, who had previously intended to leave the club on a free transfer in 2024.

A club statement in January said: “Manchester City have completed the signing of Argentinian midfielder Claudio Echeverri from River Plate. The 18-year-old has signed a contract until June 2028 but will remain at River before moving to the Etihad Stadium in January next year.”

Further details regarding the exact figures of the agreed transfer have recently emerged, with Sport Witness relaying claims by Argentinian journalist Maxi Pugliese, who reports that the transfer could rise to €25 million.

Performance related game-time bonuses could rise to €9 million, with a payment of €500,000 for every eight matches Echeverri plays for over 45 minutes while on-loan at River Plate.

There is an additional clause that River Plate will pocket €1 million for every 12 matches the midfielder plays over 45 minutes for Manchester City, upon officially switching to Pep Guardiola’s side.

City can also bring Echeverri to the Etihad Stadium this summer, should the teenager reportedly fail to feature for at least 45 minutes in 30% of matches for River Plate.