Bayer Leverkusen agree loan deal for Man City’s Claudio Echeverri

Bayer Leverkusen have agreed a season-long loan deal for Manchester City midfielder Claudio Echeverri.

The 19-year-old Argentina youth international becomes the second City teenager to go out on loan this week following Sverre Nypan’s switch to Middlesbrough.

Echeverri, who made his debut for Pep Guardiola’s side as a late substitute in last season’s FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace, joined the club from River Plate in a £12.5m deal in January 2024.

He was loaned back to the Buenos Aires club for the remainder of the season but remains highly regarded by City, who reportedly declined a loan offer from Leverkusen that included an option to buy.

What has Claudio Echeverri said about his Manchester City ambitions?

The teenager laid bare his ambitions after returning from loan in February, elaborating on his desire to break into the first team and bolster City’s attacking options  

“Personally, I think I’m ready, but obviously, I need to train with the team and improve,” said Echeverri. 

“Hopefully, the adaptation period will be short so I can start playing soon. I like to attack, go forward, and dribble. 

“I also love taking on defenders and getting past them. Hopefully, I can contribute, play well, and score a lot of goals.”

He went on to make a first Premier League appearance against Fulham in the club’s final game of the season and scored his first City goal in a 6-0 win against Al Ain in the Club World Cup.

Who will Echeverri play alongside at the BayArena?

Injury followed, forcing him to miss the remainder of the tournament, but his efforts were enough to pique the interest of Leverkusen, who finished second in the Bundesliga last term but have since lost Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz to Liverpool.

It is no secret that Guardiola is looking to streamline his squad for the forthcoming season, with summer additions including Tijjani Reijnders from Milan, France international Rayan Cherki from Lyon and Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri only intensifying competition for places. 

Echeverri is joined at the BayArena by a host of fellow newcomers including Ibrahim Maza, Malik Tillman, Jarrell Quansah and Mark Flekken as new head coach Erik ten Hag looks to reshape the team left behind by the departed Xabi Alonso.