Manchester City are reportedly set to complete the signing of River Plate starlet Claudio Echeverri as soon as the Argentine transfer window opens at the end of this month.
The Citizens are understood to have fended off interest from La Liga champions Barcelona to win the race for the signature of the highly-rated 18-year-old attacking midfielder.
According to Sky Sports News, Man City have reached an agreement in principle with River Plate to sign Echeverri for an initial €14m (£12m) plus performance-related add-ons.
Echeverri is set to return to River Plate on loan, but discussions with Man City are still ongoing over the length of the loan deal.
As soon an agreement is reached on the matter, Echeverri is expected to be unveiled as a new Man City player when the Argentine transfer window opens on January 25.
Last week, River Plate sporting director Enzo Francescoli confirmed that Echeverri will move to the Etihad Stadium next year.
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Born in the Argentine province of Chaco, Echeverri joined River Plate's academy in 2017 before working his way through the club's youth system and making his senior debut in June last year.
The teenager has since made a further five first-team appearances for River Plate, including his first start for the club in their 2-0 triumph over Rosario Central in the Trofeo de Campeones final last month.
Echeverri has also caught the eye at international level, as he was named the third-best player at the Under-17s World Cup last month as Argentine finished fourth, contributing with five goals and one assist in six matches.
The attacking midfielder had previously netted a tournament-high five goals and registered three assists in eight games as Argentina finished third in the 2023 South American Under-17s Championship.
Echeverri is set to follow in the footsteps of former River Plate star Julian Alvarez, who signed for Man City in January 2022 but remained on loan in his native Argentina before linking up with Pep Guardiola's side the following summer.
Alvarez has since developed into a first-team regular for the Citizens and after winning a historic Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble with the club last season, the forward has since celebrated success in the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
Oliver Thomas
