Man City aiming to repeat transfer trick as major £12.5million decision made

Manchester City might not be in action until Sunday when the Premier League returns but that hasn't stopped the news from the blue half of Manchester.

The international break has seen City announce the departure of Txiki Begiristain and the arrival of Hugo Viana from Sporting Lisbon while the club have also made a significant transfer decision as they ramp up plans for the second half of the season and beyond.

Here's the latest headlines from the Etihad ahead of City's return to action this weekend when they travel to Wolves in the top flight.

READ MORE: Man City player ratings - a 9/10 but one 4/10 as leaders struggle for form

READ MORE: Guardiola gamble has paid off for Man City despite Liverpool surge

City will welcome Claudio Echeverri to their squad in January at the end of his loan to River Plate.

Teenage midfielder Echeverri signed for City last January for an initial £12.5m but stayed at his club in Argentina to continue his development, as Julian Alvarez had done in 2022. As part of the deal, it was agreed that Echeverri would remain at River until the end of 2024.

No plans were made for 2025, but City have now decided to bring the 18-year-old to Manchester in January to join Pep Guardiola and his first team squad. A first-team debut before the end of the season is possible if he impresses in training.

Read more here

Echeverri isn't likely to win City the Premier League.

The arrival of the teenage midfielder in the January transfer window shouldn't be heralded as a replacement for Rodri or a signing that will transform their campaign. If he earns a first team debut before the end of the season, he will have done very well.

However, there is a reason City are bringing him to Manchester when they could