Claudio Echeverri’s future at Manchester City appears uncertain, as AS Roma has launched a significant bid to sign the Argentine forward, who is reportedly not a key part of manager Pep Guardiola’s immediate plans.
According to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, the Serie A club has proposed a deal worth approximately €33 million for the player known as “El Diablito.” The transfer would be structured as an initial loan with a mandatory purchase option, a common strategy used by European clubs to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.
While Manchester City is reportedly open to the transfer, the Premier League champions have stipulated a key condition: the inclusion of a €40 million buy-back clause in the agreement, ensuring they retain an option on the player’s future.
Hailed as a major prospect, Echeverri joined City from River Plate in early 2024 for a fee of €18.5 million, following standout performances for his club and Argentina’s youth national teams. However, his transition to English football has been challenging. The youngster has accumulated just 64 minutes of playing time across the Premier League, FA Cup, and Club World Cup. During the latter, he scored a goal before an ankle injury sidelined him for the remainder of the tournament.
The potential move is seen as a crucial step for the player’s development. Sources close to Echeverri indicate that securing consistent playing time is the primary objective to continue his growth and establish himself in European football. A transfer to the competitive Italian league would provide this opportunity. Under manager Gian Piero Gasperini, Roma finished fifth last season, securing a spot in the Europa League.
