Stunning Man City HIJACK as Fabrizio Romano says ‘here we go!’

Bayer Leverkusen have successfully hijacked Borussia Dortmund‘s move for Manchester City youngster Claudio Echeverri.

It has been clear for some time that the Argentine wonderkid would not spend this season at the Etihad, with Man City planning to send Echeverri out on loan.

Pep Guardiola has insisted that he wants fewer players in his squad, and Echeverri is among several faces expected to depart before the end of the window. Fellow youngster Sverre Nypan has just completed a loan move to Middlesbrough.

Echeverri, regarded as one of the most promising South American prospects, has fielded interest from various countries. City Football Group affiliate Girona had wanted to loan the Man City attacker, but the 19-year-old was reportedly not keen on the move.

There have also been strong links with Serie A giants Roma, but the versatile attacker is not heading to Italy, after all. Instead, he is on his way to Germany.

Leverkusen complete Echeverri hijack

Last week, reports emerged that Borussia Dortmund had lodged a surprise offer for Echeverri for a loan deal with an option to purchase him next summer. This was a bold move as the teenager has only officially been at Man City since January.

Unsurprisingly, then, the Premier League giants were not exactly keen on including a permanent element in the deal. Dortmund’s approach was rebuffed, paving the way for Bayer Leverkusen to swoop in.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the 2024 Bundesliga champions have now managed to agree a deal for Echeverri that will see the Argentine spend the season at the BayArena. Crucially, this loan does not include any option or obligation to buy.

Leverkusen will cover the entirety of Echeverri’s salary. This deal will be a bitter blow to Dortmund, who had pivoted to Echeverri after struggling to complete moves for Brighton attacker Facundo Buonanotte and Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka.

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