Officials at Manchester City are now eyeing their next development challenge for one of Argentina’s most exciting young forwards, according to reports.
The Premier League giants are said to be exploring the prospect of signing another exciting teenager from a popular source of talent for them — and, notably, could immediately loan him back out for further development at one of the country’s biggest clubs.
City’s strategy of acquiring highly rated youngsters before they reach the European market has already been proven successful in recent years, with players like Julian Álvarez, Savinho, and Claudio Echeverri all emerging as key names within the club’s global development structure.
Now, Etihad Stadium recruitment officials may be preparing to repeat the process with another name already attracting national media interest; a teenage forward who has broken into the professional scene in Argentina and represents the national side at youth level.
And with reports suggesting a firm interest from Pep Guardiola’s side, the transfer could be wrapped up as early as this summer if an agreement can be struck around the player’s release clause and his next steps in the game.
According to the information of Soy del Millo, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester City could activate the release clause of Velez Sarsfield forward Maher Carrizo – who is currently contracted until December 2026, which his clause valued at €16 million.
However, should City officials manage to thrash out an agreement for the player, it is detailed that the plan for the Argentina Under-20 international is for a loan to River Plate until the end of next year.
Carrizo spoke as recently as last week on his future, admitting to ESPN, “For now, I’m thinking about Vélez; I’ll leave the rest to my fans. It’s very difficult.
“I saw that they talked about it [possibly River Plater’s interest] on social media; I tried not to pay too much attention to it. Now I have to think about my future. And now I have to enjoy this achievement.”
The situation appears to mirror that of Claudio Echeverri, who formally joined Manchester City earlier this year from River Plate after being immediately loaned back to the Argentine giants to continue his development in familiar surroundings.
It is a method City have become increasingly confident using — allowing young players to mature physically and mentally in their home countries before making the leap to European football.
Carrizo, still only 19-years-old, is regarded as one of the most technically gifted players in his age group in Argentina. A versatile forward with a flair for beating defenders and a keen eye for goal, his performances for Vélez and the Argentina Under-20 setup have caught the eye of scouts across Europe.
Should Manchester City push forward with the aforementioned €16 million release clause, it would mark another example of the club’s willingness to invest heavily in future potential. A mooted loan to River Plate would also be a notable move, especially given Carrizo’s current links to rivals Vélez.
However, the step up to a club with continental expectations and a proven history of talent development could help prepare the forward for the demands of English or European football in the years ahead.
Whether the transfer materialises this summer remains to be seen, but what is clear is City’s continued commitment to staying ahead of the curve when it comes to elite youth recruitment. Carrizo could become the latest name in a growing list of talents signed early with the long-term vision of one day starring at the Etihad Stadium.