Claudio Echeverri
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY – 12 SEPTEMBER, 2025: Claudio Echeverri – The Bundesliga match Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs SG Eintracht Frankfurt at BayArena.
Manchester City’s plans for Claudio Echeverri are finally approaching a decisive moment, with the youngster now set to receive a verdict from new head coach Enzo Maresca.
River Plate have been pushing to bring the attacking midfielder back to Argentina for months, but previous attempts never got beyond Manchester City’s firm stance.
Now, following Pep Guardiola’s departure and two underwhelming loan spells, the situation has changed.
According to Soy del Millo, citing journalist Renzo Pantich, Echeverri will first report to Manchester City before any decision is taken.
Only after Maresca has assessed the 20-year-old will the club determine whether he remains with the first-team squad or heads out on loan once again.
That makes this the first major call on Echeverri’s future of the post-Guardiola era.
Maresca now has the final say
The report states that Echeverri is open to returning to River Plate this summer. However, that possibility depends entirely on Manchester City’s plans.
“Claudio Echeverri wants to return to River in this transfer window,” Pantich explained.
“His desire is to wear the River shirt again, although he must first report to Manchester City and learn Enzo Maresca’s decision. If he isn’t part of the plans, the possibility of a loan becomes stronger. Those around the player believe this is the ideal moment for him to return.”
Six months ago, when River first tried to bring Echeverri back in January, Manchester City rejected the proposal.
At the time, Guardiola was keen to keep the youngster within the City Football Group pathway and continue his development in European football. Rather than returning to Argentina, Echeverri joined Girona.
Another loan still appears the most likely outcome
From City’s perspective, an immediate first-team role still appears difficult to envisage. The squad remains packed with attacking options, while Echeverri is still adapting to European football after two contrasting loan spells.
That means another temporary move looks the most realistic scenario. The difference this time is that Guardiola’s influence is no longer part of the equation.
Instead, Maresca will make his own assessment after seeing Echeverri up close during pre-season.
Only then will Manchester City decide whether another European loan is the best option, whether a move elsewhere inside the City Football Group should be explored, or whether River Plate will finally get the opportunity they have been chasing since January.
For now, River’s hopes rest on one meeting. The club already know Echeverri would welcome a return. The remaining question is whether Maresca reaches the same conclusion Guardiola never did.