'Next Messi' confirms Man City arrival as Pep rips up transfer plan

Claudio Echeverri has confirmed he will join Manchester City in January, with Pep Guardiola ripping up his plans for the wonderkid amid his side's awful run of form.

Echeverri was signed 12 months ago for £12.5million from River Plate. He remained with the Argentine giants on a year-long loan deal, similar to the one which saw Julian Alvarez make the same move in 2022.

City had been planning the 18-year-old on loan to Spanish sister club Girona when he finally arrives from River Plate in January. That plan has been ripped up though with an injury crisis hitting Guardiola's squad.

The City boss is desperate for some good news after seeing his side go on a run of just one win in 12 games. He is now set to be boosted by Echeverri's early arrival, with the player confirming he will immediately link up with the senior squad.

“I wanted to thank you for the support I have always had since I was a kid, in the club where my videos began to be known, I wanted to thank you for the affection with me and my family, grateful to River, with you, with the club, the people who work at the club," he said after his final game for River.

“It’s something unique, very nice to be here, to play for River when I was so young, at the age of 17, when I was lucky enough to make my debut. Thank you for always being with us, the stadium is full every game and I hope I can return soon.

“Today I have to say goodbye to the club of my life, the one I joined at a very young age with a lot of dreams to fulfil. River became my second home, the club that formed me not only as a professional but also as a person.

"I want to thank the fans, teammates, coaching staff, leaders and people who work at the club for all these years. Also, to my family and friends, none of this would have been the same without them.

“I’m going to miss them and I’m going to continue being another fan wherever I have to be. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and see you soon.”

Echeverri certainly looks set to be a boost for Guardiola, with the midfielder having scored four goals and notched six assists for River over 2024. It was a difficult season for the Argentine giants, who could only manage a fifth place finish in the Primera Division.

City are expected to give their new recruit some time to adapt to his new surroundings in Manchester. They are keen to not place many expectations on his shoulders given the dire state of their campaign.

That isn't the case in his homeland however, with Echeverri already being touted as the 'next Lionel Messi '. He will turn 19 next week and should link up with his side early in the New Year, with City expected to be busy in the transfer window despite his impending arrival.