The 'next Lionel Messi' Claudio Echeverri could join Man City and transfer talks are advancing

Manchester City's record in the transfer market over recent years and getting things right have been a big factor in the club's success.

Pep Guardiola's side have dominated English football for several years and won the Treble last season.

They have already won a couple of trophies this season already, winning the UEFA Super Club and more recently the FIFA Club World Cup as City's march for silverware continues.

Over the summer, City had a slight turnover in their squad with the departures of Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, Cole Palmer and Aymeric Laporte.

But City recruited Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku and Josko Gvardiol to replace those gaps which emerged and the blue half of Manchester retains a very strong squad.

City have often been ahead of the curve when it comes to bringing in talent and they are reportedly well on the way to signing a prospect who has been tipped as the next Lionel Messi.

Claudio Echeverri is aged just 17 and currently plays for Argentine side River Plate, where he has come through the youth team ranks at.

He has also represented Argentina up to under-17 level and the comparisons have been drawn with GOAT Messi, and has been linked with interest from several European giants including Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.

But according to the latest update from transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, City appear to be well on the way to securing Echeverri's services.

Taking to the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Romano reports that are nearing the 'final stages' of a deal for Echeverri, and mentions a transfer fee package of more than €20m.

And the deal is poised to mirror that of former River Plate star Julian Alvarez, whose move to City was announced in January 2022, but he remained with the Argentine side on loan until the summer of that year, before heading to Manchester.

He wrote: "Understand Manchester City are advancing to final stages of Claudio Echeverri deal, contacts taking place even today.

"Plan to structure deal together with River Plate same as for Julián Álvarez — Echeverri will stay on loan.

"Package in excess of €20m."

City might well have played another blinder in the transfer market and teed up the next star to slot into their team next season.

🚨🔵 Understand Manchester City are advancing to final stages of Claudio Echeverri deal, contacts taking place even today.

🇦🇷 Plan to structure deal together with River Plate same as for Julián Álvarez — Echeverri will stay on loan.

Package in excess of €20m. More to follow. pic.twitter.com/8SFZlrn7Jy

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 24, 2023