Premier League
Claudio Echeverri is going through a decisive moment in his fledgling career, marked by a lack of continuity in Europe and an immediate future that seems to open the doors again to his home, River Plate. The Argentine, who joined Manchester City at the beginning of 2025 after a significant investment, has not been able to establish himself in his first experience outside the country.
The young player started the year with high expectations, but the circumstances did not play in his favor. In England, he played only a few minutes before being loaned to Bayer Leverkusen, a move aimed at giving him competitive playing time in an ideal environment. However, this plan didn't yield the expected results.
Claudio Echeverri and the scenario worrying Manchester City
Claudio Echeverri has only made eight appearances for the German team, despite starting in the last matches of the Champions League and Bundesliga. This lack of regularity has raised concerns at Manchester City, which is closely monitoring the Argentine's situation. From England, they do not rule out interrupting the loan in January to secure a destination that ensures immediate growth for him.
The English club faces a clear dilemma: whether to let him continue in Germany without prominence or send him to an environment where he can rediscover his best form. This consideration has sparked interest from River Plate, which has been closely tracking the young player's every move since his arrival in European football. Manchester City's management has already decided that if the loan is terminated, the player will be loaned out again. The priority is to place him in a competitive context where he gets assured playing time and offensive responsibility. This is where River Plate emerges strongly.

El Diablito and his desire to return
The gestures of Claudio Echeverri have not gone unnoticed. On social media, he has left clear signals that a return to River Plate would be an option that excites him. The player from Chaco misses his homeland, his leading role, and an environment where he grew up from the youth ranks. At Núñez, these hints are seen as encouraging signs, though caution is maintained. River Plate has not initiated formal negotiations yet, but they are already exploring contractual and regulatory possibilities. FIFA regulations should not pose an obstacle, as his return to Argentine football would not affect the club limit per season.
The team's current situation also fuels hope. River Plate is going through a rough patch, struggling to create imbalances in the opponents' field. The return of El Diablito, even on loan, would be an immediate qualitative leap.
River Plate takes a stance as the transfer market approaches
For River Plate, the chance to regain Claudio Echeverri represents a rare opportunity. His early departure left mixed feelings among the fans, but his potential return comes at an ideal time to strengthen the attack. In Manchester City, they acknowledge that the player needs an environment to boost him and look favorably on the idea of sending him back to a club where he is known to have excelled. The emotional factor weighs heavy and could speed up the decision-making process.
From Bayer Leverkusen, there will be no resistance if the loan is terminated. While they appreciate his talent, internal competition and the club's sports planning have limited his involvement. The final market setup will dictate the timeline, but currently, the trend is clear: El Diablito is closer than ever to returning to the Monumental. And in the River world, hope is already in the air.
The destiny of Claudio Echeverri seems to align with a strategic return to River Plate, while Manchester City closely monitors every detail to ensure his development. A return to his origins would not only provide him with playing time but also the necessary confidence to relaunch his career in Europe. The January transfer market will determine if the story begins anew where it all started.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El crack que quiere jugar en River Plate en 2026
