Highly Touted Claudio Echeverri Names Preferred Club Amidst Chelsea and Man City Interest, Drawing Lionel Messi Comparisons
Claudio Echeverri, the rising talent from River Plate, has identified his preferred club amid escalating speculation linking him to a move in the Premier League. At only 17 years old, Echeverri’s displays for Argentina’s youth teams have garnered attention from top European clubs. With one assist in five senior appearances, he has notably impressed scouts.
Reports from 90min suggest that both Manchester City and Chelsea, keenly observing his progress during the U17 World Cup in Indonesia, are tracking the young attacking midfielder. Echeverri’s standout performance, including a hat-trick against Brazil and a total of five goals in seven matches during the tournament, has escalated interest.
Paris Saint Germain and Barcelona are also believed to hold a vested interest in the player. However, it’s Barcelona that might possess a significant advantage in the transfer pursuit. Echeverri disclosed his childhood admiration for Barcelona, citing his immense fondness for Lionel Messi and his formative years watching him play for the Blaugrana.
Addressing potential transfers, Echeverri expressed his admiration, saying, “Besides River, I’d mention Barcelona. I’m a big Leo Messi fan and I used to watch him playing for Barça when I was a kid.”
Renowned for a playing style reminiscent of Lionel Messi, Echeverri would add another dimension of promising young talent for Xavi to nurture at Barcelona. The squad already boasts players like Pedri, Gavi, Lamine Yamal, and Casado.
Argentinian journalist Gustavo Yarroch suggested that Barcelona would be prepared to offer around €25 million (£21 million) to secure the player’s services in the near future. However, swift action might be necessary due to the heightened interest from Premier League clubs.
Despite Echeverri’s admiration for Barcelona, Manchester City remains a strong contender in the potential transfer. Their established relationship with River Plate, having secured a deal for Julian Alvarez in 2022, positions them well in the pursuit of Echeverri, as reported by the Mirror.
