Pep Guardiola is understood to be increasingly unsettled by the lack of progress in Claudio Echeverri’s development, with the Manchester City manager growing “annoyed” at how the teenager’s loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen has unfolded.
Echeverri, widely regarded as one of the brightest prospects to emerge from River Plate in recent years, arrived in Manchester in January after City secured his signature a year earlier.
The intention had always been to give the 19-year-old a gradual introduction to English football, with Guardiola using him sparingly during the second half of the campaign as he began adapting to new surroundings.
City opted in August to send the attacking midfielder on loan to Leverkusen, believing a season at the team which just captured European attention with their title-winning exploits—would offer Echeverri both regular minutes and a stable environment to accelerate his growth.
Yet, halfway into the Bundesliga season, reality has not matched expectation.
The Argentine has seen just 240 minutes of action across eight appearances, a far cry from the consistent involvement Manchester City wanted for him.
Those limited opportunities have prompted internal concerns at the Etihad Campus, with club staff monitoring the situation closely as frustration continues to mount.
According to German outlet Bild, Guardiola is “annoyed” with Leverkusen’s handling of the youngster, while there is a growing sense of “frustration” within Manchester City’s hierarchy.
The Sky Blues inserted a break clause into the loan agreement, allowing them to recall the player in January if circumstances became unfavourable. As things stand, that clause is edging toward activation.
City are due to face Leverkusen in the Champions League at the Etihad Stadium on 25 November, and the fixture is expected to provide a natural opportunity for officials from both clubs to revisit Claudio Echeverri’s development.
The same Bild report states that discussions are planned around whether the loan should be cut short, with a “decision is expected by January”.
The tone from Germany suggests the most likely outcome is a return to Manchester.
Should Echeverri be brought back midway through the campaign, City would explore fresh opportunities for him elsewhere in Europe in the winter transfer window, seeking a club willing to guarantee him regular first-team football—something he has not come close to receiving in Leverkusen.
While City are weighing their options, there has also been movement from the player’s side.
Argentine journalist Juan Cortese of TyC Sports reported two days ago that Echeverri himself would be open to returning to River Plate when the window reopens.
After spending his formative years in Buenos Aires and becoming a fan favourite before his high-profile move to City, a loan return to River would offer him both familiarity and a clearer path to consistent football.
Cortese stressed, however, that “Manchester City will have the final say on his future,” with the Premier League club maintaining control over all decisions regarding his development.
For Guardiola, the handling of young talent is a central part of his footballing philosophy.
The Catalan coach has overseen the rise of several academy hopefuls and carefully managed high-potential signings, ensuring they are placed in environments where they can flourish.
With Echeverri seen as one of South America’s most gifted emerging playmakers, every step of his integration is being scrutinised.
City initially believed Leverkusen—known for moulding young players into elite-level professionals—would be the ideal destination.
However, Leverkusen’s squad depth, tactical demands and the club’s competitive ambitions have limited opportunities for the teenager, who often finds himself on the fringes of matchday plans.
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Inside Manchester City, there is a strong desire to avoid a repeat of similar situations experienced by other young talents who struggled for minutes in loan spells at big European clubs.
The recall clause was designed precisely to prevent a wasted season, and with the first half of the campaign offering little encouragement, the club is now reassessing its next move.
Returning Echeverri to England would not guarantee him a place in Guardiola’s matchday squad—City’s midfield is among the most competitive in world football—but it would allow coaches to manage his development more directly.
A subsequent loan within the UK or to a club in a league known for nurturing young creative players is also being considered.
City also remain aware of the emotional and footballing benefits of a temporary return to River Plate, where Echeverri would play in front of a fanbase that knows him well and under a system that maximises his strengths.
But the Cityzens are expected to prioritise a pathway that aligns best with long-term development rather than sentiment.
