Barcelona has been evaluating the circumstances surrounding River Plate sensation Claudio Echeverri, with a focus on signing gifted young players who have not yet exploded on the European scene.
Contracted with River Plate until December 2024, the youngster has a meager release clause of €25 million, which is set to jump to €30 million in the final days of the market.
Echeverri recently ruled out the scenario of a contract extension, claiming he will only play for six more months and then decide what route to take.
Barcelona weighing up a move
And if recent information is to be believed, according to Pablo Giralt, Barcelona are aiming to pay Echeverri’s €25 million release clause.
The Catalan giants have previously been linked a great deal with Echeverri, as reports have confirmed Barcelona’s serious interest in the Argentine whizkid.
The 17-year-old made a lasting impression at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Indonesia, where he stunned everyone by scoring a hat-trick against Brazil in the semifinals and was a bundle of energy in the midfield.
In addition to impressing with his talents on the big stage, he has also professed his love for Barcelona publicly, which gives the Blaugranes a hidden trump card in his pursuit.
The likelihood of Barcelona signing him
While mustering up the finances will surely be a hurdle, Barcelona president Joan Laporta recently emphasized that the club will look for a short-term midfield replacement following Gavi’s injury.
Plying his trade as a midfielder, Echeverri could provide some excellent depth to Xavi’s system. The player has demonstrated enormous talent during his time at River Plate.
But any move for the 17-year-old will likely be held back until the summer transfer window. However, Manchester City and Chelsea also remain avid admirers of the player, which could complicate matters for Barcelona.
