Bayer Leverkusen chief attempts to cool Manchester City talk of ending Claudio Echeverri loan early | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen’s sporting director has attempted to cool fears over the future of Manchester City rising star Claudio Echeverri, who could be recalled in January. 

Echeverri was set for a progressive 2025/26 season while on loan at the Bundesliga club but the attacking midfielder has since struggled for minutes and grown frustrated around his situation in Germany as a result.

The highly-rated 19-year-old has failed to score or assist in three starts and five outings from the bench in all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen, who travelled to the Etihad Stadium in the UEFA Champions League’s league phase on Tuesday night. 

Whilst Echeverri was permitted to start under the competition’s rules and a win could have seen Pep Guardiola’s side climb into 1st albeit temporarily, neither happened as the Argentine took a seat on the bench and remained an unused substitute in his side’s 0-2 win.

It is thought that both Claudio Echeverri and Manchester City officials have become increasingly disappointed with his situation, which could result in his loan spell being axed, though finding a new club for the second-half of the season is the likeliest possibility. 

Despite the general consensus being that of discontentment, Bayer Leverkusen’s managing director of sport Simon Rolfes has attempted to cool speculation over Echeverri’s future, claiming there is no decision to make right now.

In an interview with BILD, translated by Bulinews, the Leverkusen chief said, “I’m in frequent contact with City; we have a very good relationship. That’s why we’re not just exchanging information about this game.

“Of course, we all hoped that Claudio would play more and reach a higher fitness level more quickly after his injury in the summer. No question, we’ll discuss his situation. But it’s still open, and for now, Claudio is with us. That’s the current situation.”

Having played only 240 minutes throughout his time in Germany so far and making one start in the Bundesliga this season, Claudio Echeverri’s growth has taken a big hit which has left all parties dissatisfied. 

Even more so due to the fact that the 19-year-old had the opportunity to move to Manchester City’s sister club Girona, just one of many successful teams under the City Football Group (CFG) umbrella. 

A successful example is Vitor Reis, who joined Pep Guardiola’s side before signing a season-long loan deal with the La Liga club, where he has flourished in a spell that has told City as much about the defender as it has about the impact of Echeverri’s lack of playing time.