Man City lead top European clubs in race for Argentina's U-17 sensation Claudio Echeverri

The next Lionel Messi has been sought by many European clubs

Claudio Echeverri, the adolescent from Argentina who has been called the future Lionel Messi is being monitored by Manchester City.

The Premier League winners are hoping that their warm connection with the Buenos Aires club, which they formed when they recruited Julian Alvarez, will give them an advantage. They have been witnessing River Plate wonder Claudio Echeverri play a starring role in the Under-17s World Cup.

Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, Juventus, and the two Milan teams are also showing interest in 17-year-old offensive midfielder Echeverri, who has a lethal eye for goal.

Despite just playing four substitute games for River Plate, he has already earned the title of “the next big thing” to emerge from Argentina following his hat-trick against Brazil, the country’s bitter rivals, in Indonesia.

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During the competition, Echeverri netted five goals, but in the semifinal shootout loss to Germany, he botched a penalty. In the agreement that Echeverri inked in January, River Plate included a buy-out clause of £21.44 million; however, that amount increases to £25.73 million within 10 days of any transfer window shutting.

In an attempt to treble the clause’s worth, the Argentine team is currently making a valiant effort to renegotiate the agreement. Alvarez was acquired by City from River Plate nearly two years ago, but the striker was only able to play in the Copa Libertadores for six months after that.

Alvarez has made 69 appearances for the team since signing, scoring 25 goals in all competitions. Last season, he was a major contributor to the team’s victories in the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.

Guardiola called the 23-year-old “almost undroppable” earlier this year, applauding the way he has firmed forward in the wake of Ilkay Gundogan’s exit and Kevin De Bruyne’s current unavailability because of a hamstring injury. The player has played in every Premier League game this season.

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