Manchester City consider shock recall of Argentina forward star in sensational transfer u-turn | OneFootball

Manchester City bosses are considering bringing Claudio Echeverri to the Etihad Stadium as part of their summer transfer strategy.

Pep Guardiola is looking to boost his Manchester City first-team squad in two areas during the closing weeks of the transfer window, with Oscar Bobb facing a lengthy period on the sidelines after suffering a fractured leg during training.

Manchester City begin their Premier League title defence against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but still want to bolster their midfield and forward options for the 2024/25 campaign.

Etihad bosses completed the club-record sale of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid earlier this month, and have also approved the sales of both Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Liam Delap for £20 million transfer fees.

Manchester City’s only first-team addition so far this summer is Brazilian winger Savinho, who made his debut from the bench during Saturday’s FA Community Shield win over Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.

The Premier League champions have seen transfer targets Dani Olmo and Pedro Neto both complete moves elsewhere in recent days, with the potential for Manchester City to reportedly consider a surprise transfer move for a new midfielder this summer.

Journalist Graeme Bailey reports that Etihad bosses are considering recalling teenager Claudio Echeverri from his loan spell at River Plate, with the attacking midfielder not due to move to east Manchester until 2025.

Manchester City completed a £12.5 million move for Echeverri in January, with the Argentinian signing a long-term contract with Manchester City until 2028.

Echeverri has reportedly been ‘discussed’ by leading figures at Manchester City, although the player would ‘prefer’ to remain at River Plate until the new year, due to the Copa Libertadores being played in Buenos Aries.

Manchester City have sanctioned the season-long loan exit of Kalvin Phillips to Ipswich Town despite concerns surrounding their midfield options, with the 28-year-old due to imminently complete a switch to Portman Road for the 2024/25 campaign.