A glimpse at the future plans of a Manchester City youngster looks to have emerged | OneFootball

Claudio Echeverri has had the opportunity to train with Manchester City throughout their preseason and he was also on the bench for Manchester City’s 4-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. It did seem like there could be a chance that Echeverri could remain at City for at least the first half of the 2026-27 season. However that chance has now seemingly evaporated. It is now reported that Echeverri is closing in on a loan move to Portuguese giants Benfica. Also, it has been reported that Echeverri’s loan move to Benfica would include an option to buy which hints at Echeverri’s future lying away from the Etihad.

Claudio Echeverri looks set to join Benfica on loan for the 2026-27 season and a permanent move to the Portuguese giants may also await Echeverri.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that Benfica are in talks with Manchester City over a potential loan deal which will see Echeverri move to the Portuguese giants. Romano’s report follows on from a report from César Luis Merlo that states Real Betis and Sheffield United were also interested in signing Echeverri on loan as well as Benfica.

Nicoló Schira has further reported that Echeverri has agreed personal terms with Benfica on a contract which will run until 2031. Schira reports that Echeverri could move to Benfica in a loan deal which includes an option to buy clause.

Perhaps the opportunity to leave Manchester City is best for Claudio Echeverri.

As exciting as it could have been to see Claudio Echeverri remain at Manchester City for a part of the 2026-27 season, the chances of that occurring did seem remote. If Echeverri were to remain at City, his opportunity to play regular minutes seemed limited. To grow as a player, Echeverri needs to play regularly. He wouldn’t get that chance at City. Echeverri is exceptionally talented with bags of potential. But perhaps the step up to contributing at City is a step too far for him at this stage.

A loan move to a club like Benfica seems ideal for Echeverri. The opportunity to establish himself in their first team is there. There is no reason that Echeverri cannot do this at Benfica. Typically, Benfica are a club that puts young players like Echeverri straight into the thick of it. Claudio Echeverri does need this opportunity. Hopefully he can seize it if that is what transpires.

The part that stands out is the reported option to buy included in Benfica’s loan move to sign Claudio Echeverri. Perhaps Manchester City has seen enough from the Argentinian talent. Echeverri has the talent to make it in Europe. However, it seems like his future will lie away from the Etihad. Especially if his reported loan move to Benfica does include an option to buy clause.