Claudio Echeverri makes January transfer desire as Bayer Leverkusen future hangs by a thread | OneFootball

Manchester City may find themselves at the centre of another battle to send Claudio Echeverri in their preferred direction should the player be repositioned in January.

The Argentine is enduring a turbulent start to regular life in European football, with his ongoing loan at Bayer Leverkusen falling significantly short of expectations when the deal was signed off in the summer.

Echeverri and City officials have become increasingly dissatisfied with his lack of playing time and is now beginning to look towards longer-term alternatives. The midfielder’s frustration has already manifested in multiple reports, including claims that he favours a return to his former club River Plate.

Echeverri’s spell at Leverkusen was intended to be a crucial first step in adapting to the pace and tactical demands of European football, with City believing the environment would serve as an ideal springboard towards a consistent place in their own team in following seasons.

But with minutes scarce, the 19-year-old’s development risks stalling. This situation follows earlier reporting from Argentina and Germany suggesting that Echeverri has privately expressed disappointment and may be seeking clearer guarantees over his playing time. A recall clause in the Leverkusen agreement provides flexibility, but not an invitation for him to return to Argentina prematurely.

According to the information of ESPN journalist Juan Patricio Balbi, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, Claudio Echeverri has already told his family and his representatives that he wants to return to River Plate in 2026.

Patricio Balbi explained, “He [Echeverri] wants to go back to Argentina. He wants to play for River [Plate] again. He wants continuity, and he knows River is the best place to get it.

However, Manchester City are said to have a different plan and should the club recall him in January, Etihad Stadium officials will aim to negotiate a new loan agreement for the attacking midfielder. 

City’s priority is for Echeverri to earn minutes in European football and while a return to River Plate is said to remain possible, such a move will only emerge if no European option works out with City Football Group’s Girona one of the first alternatives.

Given Manchester City’s insistence on a European development pathway, Girona appear to be the most natural landing spot should the Bayer Leverkusen loan be terminated, with the club having already sent Vitor Reis to the Catalan club to great success for the ongoing campaign.

Should no immediate European option satisfy Manchester City’s requirements, the possibility of a temporary return to Argentina cannot be completely ruled out but, as repeated throughout recent reporting, it remains a last resort.

City believe that Claudio Echeverri’s long-term success depends on his comfort within European footballing culture, and any move that delays that transition would only stretch his adaptation period further.