Man City transfer news: Claudio Echeverri exit decision made as Enzo Maresca takes 'firm' stance

Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca intends to keep Claudio Echeverri at the club for the first half of the 2026-27 at least, according to a report.

The 20-year-old returned to the Etihad Stadium over the summer after spending the 2025-26 season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen and Girona, although both spells were underwhelming.

Echeverri played just 270 minutes for Leverkusen across all competitions, before managing a measly one goal and one assist in 17 appearances for Girona en route to relegation from La Liga.

The Argentine was also not included in the matchday squad for Man City's 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield, and it would be a shock to see him involved in Sunday's Premier League opener against Bournemouth too.

With Phil Foden signing a new contract and Rayan Cherki impressing last term, Echeverri is arguably Maresca's third-choice number 10, and the expectation was that he would depart again - either on loan or permanently - in 2026.

Enzo Maresca takes 'firm' Claudio Echeverri transfer stance

A return to boyhood club River Plate has been mooted for Echeverri, but according to Soy del Millo, Maresca has now taken a 'firm' stance on the 2006-born playmaker's future.

The report claims that the Citizens boss wants to give Echeverri minutes in the coming months and has closed the door on his exit, although the situation could change as the winter approaches.

If Echeverri fails to ignite his Man City career in the first half of the season, River Plate - who will continue to monitor the situation closely - could extend an olive branch to the playmaker in the January transfer window.

Man City paid £18.5m to bring Echeverri to the club from River Plate in early 2024, but the South American has made just three senior appearances for the Sky Blues to date, two of which came as a substitute.

Echeverri's one and only Premier League outing for Man City so far came in a 2-0 win over Fulham on the final day of the 2024-25 Premier League season, shortly after his competitive debut in the FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace.

Echeverri then started and scored in a 6-0 Club World Cup win over Al-Ain, but he was taken off at half time by Pep Guardiola and has not made another official appearance for the Sky Blues since.

However, the 20-year-old did take part in pre-season friendlies against Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid, albeit while playing a mere 30 minutes across both contests, and his contract runs until 2028.

Claudio Echeverri stays, but who could leave Man City?

Echeverri sticking around at the Etihad will at least help lessen the impact of expected exits for Savinho - whose £85m move to Tottenham Hotspur has been agreed - and Omar Marmoush, whom Spurs are also confident of capturing.

Jack Grealish's future remains a topic of major uncertainty too, while fringe defenders Issa Kabore, Juma Bah and Josh Wilson-Esbrand could also be allowed to depart before the September 1 deadline.

City have already lost 11 players this summer, as James Trafford, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Tijjani Reijnders, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and John Stones have left permanently, while Sverre Nypan, Max Alleyne, Pierce Charles and Mathys Detourbet have departed on loan.