Bayer Leverkusen set to sign Manchester City's Claudio Echeverri
The 19-year-old Argentine playmaker only arrived at the Etihad Stadium earlier this year, having completed his long-awaited switch from River Plate in January following an agreement between the two clubs many months prior.
Since then, Echeverri has already experienced senior action with Pep Guardiola's side, including appearances in the Premier League and FA Cup Final, as well as scoring in the FIFA Club World Cup against Al Ain.
However, City have remained consistent in their stance that Echeverri's development would benefit most from a loan spell this season, given the wealth of competition in Guardiola's midfield, while his long-term future certainly remains at the Etihad Stadium.
Earlier this summer, both Borussia Dortmund and AS Roma tabled proposals for the teenager, with the former seeking a loan including a buy option, and Roma reportedly offering a one-year loan with a €33 million mandatory purchase clause.
Manchester City, however, rejected both approaches as they were unwilling to risk losing control of a player they value as a key part of their future squad planning.
Now, according to the information of journalist Matteo Moretto, Claudio Echeverri is closing in on joining Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen on a season-long loan from Manchester City.
Additional reporting from Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg details that the loan arrangement is a one-year deal without an option for Leverkusen to buy the player in the summer of 2026.
Fabrizio Romano also confirms the absence of a buy-option clause in what is a straightforward loan arrangement between the two clubs, with Leverkusen covering the player's salary and Echeverri due to travel to Germany ahead of a medical as soon as Tuesday night.
Furthermore on the financials of the agreement, The Athletic's Jordan Campbell reveals that Bayer Leverkusen will also be paying Manchester City a fee in order to sign Claudio Echeverri on loan.
For City, the Leverkusen agreement represents a more suitable development pathway for Echeverri. The Bundesliga side, who lifted the German title in recent times, can offer high-level minutes both domestically and in the UEFA Champions League while also respecting City's desire to retain full control over the teenager's long-term future.
Looking ahead, the decision to send Echeverri to Germany could mirror the success of past development loans within City Football Group and beyond. Should he thrive at the BayArena, he would likely return to Manchester next summer as a more complete option for Guardiola.
With Bayer Leverkusen expected to finalise the agreement in the coming days, the focus will soon turn to how new manager Erik ten Hag intends to integrate Echeverri into his squad. City supporters, meanwhile, will be eager to track his performances closely in the Bundesliga, knowing that his long-term career path remains firmly aligned with the Etihad Stadium.
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