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Manchester City are reportedly monitoring Argentine wonderkid Claudio Echeverri. The teenager has drawn comparisons to seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, and his stock is on the rise after a superb showing for the Albiceleste at the Under-17s World Cup this month.<\/p>\n
Echeverri’s heroics at the tournament included a hat-trick against Brazil in the quarter-finals, a goal against Venezuela in the last 16 and two more against Japan in the group stages.<\/p>\n
Only his team-mate Agustin Roberto scored more, with Argentina taking fourth spot after being eliminated by Germany and beaten by Mali in the third-place play-off. According to The Mirror, City were watching closely throughout the tournament with a view to bringing Echeverri to the Etihad Stadium.<\/p>\n
The attacking midfielder, who has made four senior appearances for Argentine giants River Plate, is believed to have a release clause worth just over \u00a321million in his contract.<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> Man Utd eye City target Estevao Willian as Jim Ratcliffe takes drastic approach<\/strong><\/p>\n Such a sum could represent fantastic value if Echeverri kicks on and reaches his full potential. The release clause reportedly increases to \u00a326m if the bid arrives within 10 days of a transfer window closing, although River Plate are thought to be scrambling to up the stakes.<\/p>\n In a panicked bid to eke extra cash from City’s mega-rich owners, the club are attempting to renegotiate Echeverri’s contract in a move which would roughly double his asking price.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/67\/590x\/secondary\/Lionel-Messi-Inter-Miami-5096249.jpg?r=1701527382787\")
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