Manchester City close to signing ‘generational number 10’ in major January transfer coup

Manchester City are closing in on the signing of River Plate midfielder Claudio Echeverri, beating both Barcelona and Chelsea to the teenager’s signature.

The City Football Group look set complete another major signing from South America, with River Plate and Argentina Under-17s star Claudio Echeverri closing in on a move to Manchester City.

The 17-year-old could become the third young Argentinian to sign for Pep Guardiola’s side, following in the footsteps of Julian Alvarez and Maximo Perrone, after both recently swapped the Primera Division for the Premier League.

Alvarez netted twice during the FIFA Club World Cup Final for Manchester City on Friday evening, meanwhile Perrone is currently on loan at Las Palmas in La Liga, having made his first-team debut for the Sky Blues last season.

Gabriel Jesus made 236 appearances and won 11 trophies with Manchester City, moving directly from Brazil for £27 million in 2017.

Claudio Echeverri is now set to become the latest South American star to move to the North West, with the teenager ‘close’ to signing for the newly-crowned World Champions, according to The Secret Scout.

The outlet, who describe the 17-year-old as being a ‘generational number 10’ with ‘nobody better at his age’, is preparing to snub interest from Barcelona in favour of a move to Manchester City.

Echeverri will be eligible for an overseas transfer in January 2024 following his 18th birthday, but could return to River Plate either on a six-month or 12-month loan, as per the information of César Luis Merlo.

Fabrizio Romano further reports that Manchester City ‘keep working’ and are ‘advancing’ on a deal to sign the teenager.