Arrival of new Manchester City signing delayed until February following announcement | OneFootball

Manchester City will not welcome the long-awaited signing of Claudio Echeverri to the club until February, following confirmation of an international call-up.

The Premier League champions confirmed an agreement had been struck with River Plate for the highly-rated attacking midfielder at the end of the 2024 January transfer window, securing the teenager on a long-term contract until the summer of 2028.

Such was the value seen in the player’s future prospects that Manchester City officials felt it necessary to sanction an investment of £12.5 million plus add-ons in Echeverri, allowing the player to remain on loan at River Plate until the end of 2024.

And now, with excitement raising throughout the Manchester City fanbase over the arrival of Claudio Echeverri into Pep Guardiola’s squad, it seems as though the supporters may have to wait a little while yet before the Argentine integrates himself at the City Football Academy.

That is due to international commitments, and the teenager’s involvement with his country’s Under-20 squad potentially until mid-February, meaning the the player may not have too much time to make an immediate impression before a run of crunch matches arrive.

As confirmed by the Argentina national team set-up this month, Claudio Echeverri will represent his country and their Under-20 squad at the South American U20 Championship running from 23 January to 16 February.

Prior to confirmation that Echeverri would be joining Manchester City upon the agreed date, and that no further extension to his stay with River Plate would be signed off, the Argentine club’s manager, Marcelo Gallardo stood publicly sceptical on the matter.

“Some players are ready to make the jump to Europe, others are not. Claudio (Echeverri) is very young, still needs to develop in Argentinian football, needs to finish developing physique, then he has all the technical qualities to be great,” Gallardo said in November 2024.

“He’s in a process of development which is normal, he’s only 18. I hope we can keep him for another year and leaves in better conditions. Today it’s clear Manchester City have paid his fee, he’s on loan until the end of the year, River have to accept it.”

For now, it remains somewhat uncertain as to what role Claudio Echeverri could take in Pep Guardiola’s set-up, however it is highly unlikely that he would become an immediate dependable option in the centre of the park at this stage in his development.