Manchester City close in on River Plate and Argentina starlet to replicate Julian Alvarez deal - Paper Round
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Updated 02/01/2024 at 11:10 GMT
Manchester City are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign River Plate youngster Claudio Echeverri from River Plate. Meanwhile, City are reportedly in a race with Barcelona, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City for the acquisition of Estevao Willian from Palmeiras. Elsewhere, Tottenham are keeping tabs on Dominic Solanke, and Erik ten Hag has his say on Anthony Martial's future.
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Man City nearing Echeverri deal
Claudio Echeverri looks set to follow in Julian Alvarez's footsteps and swap River Plate for Manchester City.
The Athletic claims that the 17-year-old will be part of a deal similar to the one that saw Alvarez join the club in January 2022.
Echeverri, who skippered Argentina to Under-17 World Cup glory in November, will likely be sent back on loan to the Buenos Aires side as part of the deal.
The article reads: “Manchester City are close to signing River Plate prospect Claudio Echeverri in a deal worth around £17.5 million (€20m/$22m).
“The 17-year-old attacking midfielder is likely to be sent out on loan should he complete his move to City, and a return to River is on the cards.
“That is the same arrangement that City and River agreed upon when Julian Alvarez signed for the Premier League club in January 2022.
“Echeverri captained Argentina at the Under-17 World Cup in November, scoring five goals – including a hat-trick against Brazil in the quarter-finals.”
Tottenham monitoring Solanke
Tottenham are keeping tabs on Dominic Solanke ahead of a possible summer move for the Bournemouth striker, according to a report in The Sun.
Solanke scored his first Premier League hat-trick in the Cherries' 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
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Dominic Solanke of AFC Bournemouth celebrates after scoring their team's second goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and AFC Bournemouth at City Ground on December 23, 2023 in Nottingham, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
The 26-year-old has scored 12 goals in 20 appearances across all competitions this season for Andoni Iraola's side, and a source told The Sun that Spurs are "closely watching" Solanke.
The source said: “Spurs want to sign a striker in the summer. The club hasn't replaced Harry Kane so recruiting a new forward is a big priority and Solanke is someone they are closely monitoring.
"They’ve sent scouts to watch him already several times this season, and they will continue to track him into the New Year.
“He ticks a lot of boxes for Spurs, and Bournemouth know if he carries on showing the kind of form he is then they will struggle to stop other clubs from sniffing around him. They are bracing themselves for bids.”
Chelsea, Man City and Man Utd track Palmeiras starlet
Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United are the English clubs interested in a deal for Palmeiras starlet Estevao Willian.
Willian, otherwise known as 'Messinho', made his Palmeiras debut on December 6 and has his heart set on a move to Barcelona.
However, Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo says the Catalans' financial difficulties means that the English trio, alongside Paris Saint-Germain, could make an approach.
The article (translated from Spanish) said: “Given the pressure that big teams like PSG, Chelsea, United and City are exerting for Messinho, who are willing to already pay his clause of 60 million euros, Palmeiras want the player to start making up his mind.
“Messinho turns 17 on April 24, 2024, meaning he would not be able to arrive in Europe until the summer of 2025, but the 'verdao' club [Palmeiras] wants to close his sale now and follow the same path it has done with Endrick and Real Madrid, which - after he was signed - saw him [Endrick] remain at the Brazilian club until his age allowed him to move to Europe.”
'Not our aim' - Ten Hag on Martial exit
Erik ten Hag claims that Manchester United do not intend to sell Anthony Martial in the January transfer window.
The 28-year-old only has six months left on his current deal, and United have not been in any rush to utilise their option to activate their further 12-month extension.
A report from The Metro reads: "Ten Hag would welcome the opportunity to add to his attacking options in the January transfer window but funds are likely to be in short supply, despite confirmation of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s partial takeover.
"United were restricted to signing Wout Weghorst on loan 12 months ago following the acrimonious departure of Cristiano Ronaldo but spent £72m in the summer on Rasmus Hojlund.
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 6: Anthony Martial of Manchester United looks on before the Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea FC at Old Trafford on December 6, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside
Image credit: Getty Images
"The Denmark international has struggled to live up to his enormous price tag and has gone a worrying 14 games without scoring a Premier League goal.
"Martial, meanwhile, has fared little better, scoring only twice in all competitions this season but Ten Hag maintains he has little desire to let Martial leave with attacking options in such short supply.
"Asked ahead of tonight’s game against Aston Villa if there was any chance of Martial leaving next month, Ten Hag said: ‘When we have news, then of course I will tell it. But that is not our aim.’"
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