Manchester City are about to discover whether River Plate’s persistence has become a real factor in Claudio Echeverri’s future.
The Argentine club tried to bring the attacking midfielder back in January. They pushed hard, the player was interested, and a return to Buenos Aires appeared to have some momentum. Yet the move never happened.
At the time, the key obstacle was Manchester City’s determination to keep Echeverri inside the City Football Group development pathway. Rather than returning to South America, he was sent to Girona for the second half of the season.
Now River are preparing another attempt, and the circumstances look very different.
According toTyC Sports, the Argentine side will contact Manchester City directly to explore whether Echeverri could join on loan.
The report states River believe the youngster could struggle for significant first-team consideration next season and see an opportunity to revisit a deal that failed just six months ago.
January attempt provides important context
This is not a new idea from River. As we followed closely, the club already tried to secure Echeverri in January when his loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen was going nowhere.
TyC Sports report that River pushed strongly at the time and that the player himself was keen on the possibility.
However, Manchester City refused to sanction a move. And Girona became the compromise solution.
At the time, it looked logical. Girona offered regular exposure to a major European league, familiarity with the City Football Group model and a pathway that had worked for other young players.
But the reality proved more complicated.
More minutes, but no breakthrough
Echeverri certainly played more football in Spain than he had in Germany.
After barely featuring for Leverkusen, he made 17 appearances for Girona during the second half of the campaign. Yet only five of those came as a starter. His final numbers were one goal and one assist.
There wereencouraging signs. Girona manager Míchel Sánchez repeatedly spoke about helping him play with greater freedom and confidence.
However, the loan never truly became the breakthrough many expected.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment came collectively. Girona’s season ended with relegation from La Liga, meaning Echeverri’s first extended experience of senior European football concluded with a drop into the second division.
Guardiola’s departure may change the equation
That is where River see an opening.
The club’s view, according to TyC Sports, is that Echeverri may still find himself down the pecking order at Manchester City next season. A first-team role already looked difficult under Guardiola. It arguably looks even more uncertain during a managerial transition.
At the same time, the biggest obstacle River faced in January has disappeared.
Guardiola was a central figure in the decision to keep Echeverri in Europe and under the City Football Group umbrella. With the Spaniard gone, River can reasonably hope that City’s football department may reassess the situation.
The player remains under contract until June 2028, so Manchester City retain complete control over the next step. Yet River believe there are reasons to be optimistic.
TyC Sports report that the Argentine side sense a positive disposition from Echeverri himself and maintain an open dialogue with Manchester City executives.
The relationship between the clubs has been strong for years, helped by previous business such as Julián Álvarez’s move to England.
Whether that will be enough is another question.