Pep Guardiola used irony when discussing the troubled trajectory of a Manchester City wonderkid on loan abroad.
The competition in major clubs is such that many players must go out on loan, during summer or winter transfer windows, to try to get playing time. This was notably the case at Manchester City in summer 2025, as Vitor Reis, Sverre Nypan and Juma Bah joined Girona, Middlesbrough and Nice respectively.
Claudio Echeverri also changed clubs, joining Bayer Leverkusen on a one-year loan. Except the Argentine's experience there has been of little interest – eight appearances, no starts – and Pep Guardiola did not hide his disapproval of this move, ironically pointing the finger at the attacking midfielder's agent:
“Bring him back to Manchester City this winter? That's a question to ask his charming agent… We have incredible regard for him as a player, and about what happened at Bayer Leverkusen, you have to ask him, I don't know. His agent knows more than everyone.”
Too hasty a departure from Manchester City for Echeverri?
In January 2024, Manchester City recruited Claudio Echeverri for €18.5m (£15.8m), then loaned him for a year to his former club, River Plate. With the Citizens from the start of 2025, the attacking midfielder was always out of the squad, except during the final match of the season against Fulham (0-2), where he only played five minutes.
Perhaps stung by this meagre playing time, Claudio Echeverri's agent found him an exit door this summer, on loan, even though the attacker had played 45 minutes with Manchester City during the Club World Cup before getting injured. However, at Bayer Leverkusen, the Argentine is not playing, and according to information from October from outlet Ole, a return to the Citizens is being considered by both player and English club.
New loan for Echeverri or substitute status at Manchester City?
The Argentine outlet estimated at the end of October that a new loan for Claudio Echeverri was the solution being considered by the third-placed Premier League side's management in the event of an early return during the winter transfer window. Manchester City would opt for a loan in Europe, whilst River Plate are eyeing the wonderkid and the latter is receptive to it.
But why would Claudio Echeverri not stay with the Citizens? Competition is fierce in attack, on the wings – Jeremy Doku, Savinho, Omar Marmoush, Oscar Bobb – as well as centrally – Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva – but with a bit of patience, the striker could make his mark and multiply appearances, notably because injuries are not sparing Pep Guardiola's men this season – Rayan Cherki, Savinho, Phil Foden, Omar Marmoush.
This article was originally published on Top Mercato.
