Pep Guardiola key as Manchester City player encouraged to change agent

Manchester City have decided to end Claudio Echeverri’s loan at Bayer Leverkusen, opening the door for one final move from River Plate. 

As relayed by El Intransigente, the German club and City have reached an agreement to terminate the deal early, with the player set to return to England before a new destination is chosen.

Journalist Juan Patricio Balbi confirmed that the decision is settled. “It is confirmed and it will become official that Bayer Leverkusen and Manchester City have agreed to cancel Claudio Echeverri’s loan,” he said. “He will return to the English club. Pep Guardiola still has to decide where he will end up playing.”

Guardiola has already made it clear that Echeverri is not part of his immediate plans at Manchester City. Balbi reinforced that point. “City continue to prioritise that the player stays in Europe,” he explained. “Echeverri wanted to play for River, but he will not continue in German football and will have a new destination in 2026.”

Also, a fresh update from Germán García Grova adds another layer. The journalist reports that Manchester City are now open to Echeverri returning to River.

The decision, however, sits with the player. Manchester City have asked him to assess a possible change in representation as part of the process, a signal that internal dynamics around his future remain sensitive.

River prepare one last attempt despite Guardiola stance

That scenario has led River Plate to consider one last attempt. The Argentine club had stepped back in recent days, partly because of Guardiola’s public criticism of the player’s agent.

“I think River will try once more,” Balbi said, before adding: “But it is difficult. Guardiola took a public stance against the agent, and that makes the Echeverri deal very hard.” A potential change of agent reported by Grova could now alter the balance and give River a final opening in the talks.

Balbi also revealed that River had already adjusted their strategy. With talks stalling, they moved for other targets, including Benfica’s Gianlucca Prestianni. However, confirmation that Echeverri will not remain at Leverkusen has reopened a narrow window of opportunity in Núñez.

Guardiola himself addressed the situation recently. “We always love it when players play many minutes,” he said. “We have huge appreciation for him as a footballer. What happened at Leverkusen, you should ask his agent. Bringing him back? That is a question for his wonderful agent.”

For now, Manchester City remain in control. Echeverri will leave Leverkusen, but his next step is still undecided. River are expected to make one final push, even as City continue to work towards a European solution.