At just 19 years old, Claudio Echeverri is already finding himself at the center of a transfer tug-of-war.
While Manchester City brought him in with high hopes, it seems Roma are determined to make the talented Argentine their own.
City’s New Gem Still Searching for a Place
Manchester City secured Echeverri’s signature from River Plate back in January 2023 for a reported £12.5 million.
However, he didn’t pack his bags immediately.
Instead, the attacking midfielder stayed with River Plate on loan for a year to continue his development before officially joining Pep Guardiola’s side this February.
Since arriving, Echeverri has been gently eased into life in Manchester.
So far, he’s made three senior appearances for the Premier League giants.
He made his debut in the FA Cup final, had a quick run-out on the final league matchday, and grabbed his first goal for City with a stunning free-kick against Al Ain during the Club World Cup in June.
A Shift in Plans as Roma Make Their Move
Despite showing flashes of brilliance, Echeverri’s immediate future remains up in the air.
City had reportedly been planning to send him on loan to Girona, their La Liga sister club. But new reports suggest the teenager isn’t too keen on heading to Spain.
Instead, he’s apparently eyeing a move to Italy — and more specifically, to Roma.
One big reason? The presence of his fellow countrymen, Paulo Dybala and Matias Soule, who could help ease the transition and offer a familiar atmosphere.
Roma Table a Bigger and Better Deal
According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Roma have now sweetened the deal.
Their updated offer is for a loan move that includes a £29 million option to buy — a noticeable bump from their earlier £21 million proposal.
But Roma aren’t stopping there.
They’ve reportedly added a clever twist to the deal: a £35 million buy-back clause that would allow Man City to reclaim Echeverri down the road, while still handing Roma a tidy £6 million profit if that clause is ever activated.
Gasperini’s Influence and Echeverri’s Preference
Roma’s manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, is believed to be playing a key role in driving the deal forward.
His interest in Echeverri reportedly aligns with the midfielder’s own desire to switch to the Italian capital — a move he views as an opportunity to grow while staying close to his Argentine roots.
Rising Star with a Strong Track Record
Before stepping into City blue, Echeverri had already turned heads in South America.
He clocked 48 appearances for River Plate across all competitions, notching four goals and eight assists.
But what really put him on the radar was his performance at the South American Under-20 Championships earlier this year.
Wearing the captain’s armband, he led Argentina to the final, scoring six times and providing three assists.
Add to that his five-goal showing at the 2023 Under-17 World Cup — which included a hat-trick against Brazil — and it’s clear why so many clubs are taking notice.
So What Happens Next?
With Roma pushing hard and Echeverri reportedly leaning toward the move, it’s now a matter of whether City are ready to let go — even temporarily.
Will Guardiola’s team stick with their Girona plan, or will they let the young talent grow under Roma’s wing?
For now, all eyes are on the negotiation table.
One thing’s certain — Claudio Echeverri’s story is just getting started.