Bayer Leverkusen have just successfully hijacked a deal for one of Manchester City’s brightest stars.
Pep Guardiola is keen to trim his squad before the summer transfer window shuts, and over recent days, the Manchester club has successfully achieved this, offloading Jack Grealish to Everton on loan, while James McAtee completed a permanent switch to Nottingham Forest.
City are not done in this department, as several more stars still need to be moved on, with loan deals being the easiest way to get players off the books for a season.
Bayer Leverkusen have now agreed a deal for one of the most talented players in Guardiola’s squad, who has also got his wish by moving to the Bundesliga club.
Claudio Echeverri after Crystal Palace v Manchester City.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Claudio Echeverri to join Bayer Leverkusen on loan
Borussia Dortmund submitted an offer for Claudio Echeverri over recent days, and although Man City were considering the deal, a big issue was the option to buy clause that the German club included in their proposal.
City have no intention of selling the 19-year-old anytime soon, and that allowed Bayer Leverkusen time to get involved in the race.
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According to Fabrizio Romano, Echeverri is now set to move to Leverkusen for the season as the 2024 Bundesliga champions have hijacked Dortmund’s deal for the Man City midfielder.
Crucially, there is no option to buy clause in the loan agreement, with Leverkusen set to cover the Argentine’s salary throughout the 25/26 campaign.
The 19-year-old will undergo his medical on Tuesday night, and if all goes well, the City star could be announced this week.
🚨💣 Claudio Echeverri to Bayer Leverkusen, here we go! Deal agreed with Manchester City for straight loan.
No buy option clause, salary covered by Leverkusen and Echeverri on his way for medical already tonight.
El Diablito will play under ten Hag, as @MatteMoretto reported. pic.twitter.com/zQPXp5gjYD
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 19, 2025
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Echeverri made it clear that he wanted to join a club that was competing in the Champions League or Europa League this season, and Leverkusen ticked that box for the youngster as he has hopes of being included in the Argentina squad for the 2026 World Cup.
The Bundesliga club will offer the Argentina star minutes to prove himself to Lionel Scaloni, and Man City hope Echeverri comes back next season ready to compete for a place in Guardiola’s starting 11.
The other clubs that wanted Claudio Echeverri
Man City’s preferred destination for Echeverri was to move to Girona, as they would have been able to keep close control of the 19-year-old at their sister club; however, the player was not keen on that move due to the absence of European football.
Roma appealed to Echeverri, but the Italian club also wanted to include an option to buy clause in any loan proposal, as all the clubs in the race are aware of how special a talent the Argentine could turn out to be.
Other clubs were keeping an eye on the £12.5m star’s situation at the Etihad Stadium; however, things have worked out for everyone involved with the midfielder moving to Bayer Leverkusen for the coming months.