Chelsea and Man City in transfer battle for 'next Messi' - but face key obstacle

16 December 2023 , 15:58

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Chelsea and Man City in transfer battle for 'next Messi' - but face key obstacle

Chelsea and Manchester City have entered the race for River Plate's teenage sensation Claudio Echeverri, but their efforts could prove to be in vain amid interest from Barcelona.

Echeverri has been dubbed the 'next Lionel Messi ' after playing a starring role for Argentina at the Under-17s World Cup. City may feel like they have the edge over other sides aiming to secure his services given they boast a stellar working relationship with River Plate after dealing with the club for Julian Alvarez last year.

The 17-year-old attacking midfielder has also caught the eye of Real Madrid, PSG, Juventus as well as AC and Inter Milan. River Plate inserted a £21.44million buy-out clause in the contract Echeverri signed in January, but that figure rises to £25.73million within 10 days of any transfer window closing.

While Chelsea and City are keeping tabs on the situation, it looks as if Barcelona are in the driving seat to land the signature of a talent who bagged a hat-trick against arch-rivals Brazil in Indonesia during the youth tournament. Prior to the Under 17's World Cup last month, Echeverri dropped a huge hint over his preferred destination.

"As well as River, I would like to play for Barça," he admitted. "I am a big Lionel Messi fan and I watched him play there, so they are a team I have followed since I was very young."

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Speculation linking the teenager with a move to the Camp Nou is expected to only continue after Xavi's recent comments on Echeverri, where he heaped praise on the 17-year-old. The Barcelona boss claimed: "The boy is a talent. Beyond the hat-trick he scored against Brazil [at the U17 World Cup], he's a difference-maker, but it's something for the scouting department [to deal with]."

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Manchester City are interested in Claudio Echeverri but he looks destined for Barcelona (FIFA via Getty Images)

Barcelona already have a plethora of exciting, young talent including the likes of Pedri, Gavi, Lamine Yamal and Casado. However, Xavi is keen on bolstering his attacking options for the future and clearly views Echeverri as a player that could make the grade.

With the January transfer window just weeks away, if either of City or Chelsea wish to sign Echeverri they may have to move quickly. It would appear as if this is Barcelona's transfer to lose given the mutual admiration.

Josh O'Brien