Claudio Echeverri handed firm choice by Pep Guardiola over next career steps

Claudio Echeverri has been given a choice by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola as his wasted loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen is becoming more likely to end in January. 

The Argentine wonderkid was sent to the Bundesliga in August to improve his potential-bursting career after agreeing to join the Premier League side from River Plate in January 2024, remaining on loan until 12 months later. 

But he has experienced barely any top-level football since, spending most of his time on the bench as frustration from all parties intensified and generated calls for his loan to be terminated at the earliest opportunity.

To make matters worse for Echeverri, Guardiola has not appeared impressed with the attacker’s representatives on more than one occasion, telling journalists to “ask his beautiful agent” ahead of his side’s clash with Leverkusen in the Champions League two weeks ago. 

Since those comments, the situation around Echeverri’s loan has not improved as the player and manager pose separate opinions on what is best for the future. Echeverri has made it clear that he wants a return to River Plate, whereas Pep Guardiola is opposed to that idea. 

In fact, according to Soy del Millo – and translated and relayed by Sport Witness – the Manchester City manager’s stance is clear in that he wants the midfielder to join fellow City Football Group side Girona if the loan at Leverkusen is to end early. 

Journalist Renzo Pantich revealed that Guardiola “wants Echeverri to go to Girona”, even as the player continues to push for a return to his boyhood club.

The La Liga club, who are currently 18th in the Spanish top-flight, are a part of the City Football Group (CFG) and act as a sister club to the Premier League team, often developing former or future Manchester City players. 

Vitor Reis is just one example who is currently at Girona; he has had a successful and busy time so far since joining on a season-long loan in the summer transfer window, quickly establishing himself as a regular starter in the centre of defence. 

So too have those who have previously played at the club, with Savinho catching the eye of Guardiola after a stunning 2023 loan spell saw him score 11 goals and 10 assists before joining City from French side Troyes in a deal worth £30.8 million. 

Echeverri’s loan has no doubt dented his confidence but the attacking midfielder – known for his exceptional dribbling, strong ability to keep the ball close, quick feet and vision – has the opportunity to revitalise this dip in the early stages of his career. 

But the disagreement with Manchester City could end up damaging his professional tenure further if he is to disregard the advice provided by club officials. This is certainly not the be-all end-all for a talented player like Echeverri, but the next few months of his career have the power to redefine both positively and negatively.