Man City plan to sign Argentine midfielder in January transfer window

Manchester City are looking to raid River Plate again in the January transfer window.

Two years since they snapped up Julian Alvarez for £14m, the Blues are making progress on a deal for midfielder Claudio Echeverri for a similar figure. As well as captaining Argentina at the Under-17 World Cup last month, the 17-year-old has already made his professional debut for River as they sit second in the league.

Should they seal a deal in January, City wouldn't be bringing Echeverri to the Etihad immediately; the likeliest option would be he stays at River to develop as Alvarez did but another move could be found. Alvarez needed just six months to convince Pep Guardiola and his coaches that he was ready to make an impact in Manchester, although he was considerably older when he made the move.

ALSO READ: Haaland injury latest and timescale for Man City return ahead of Everton

READ MORE: Haaland wins Fans' Footballer of the Year

City's success in poaching Alvarez without having a major battle with other European clubs - Ralf Rangnick revealed he implored United to sign him but was ignored - has been a coup that has helped them have effective cover first for Erling Haaland and then also this season for Kevin De Bruyne. With no Haaland in the Club World Cup, Alvarez bagged two goals in the final to boost him ahead of the Premier League return.

It remains to be seen whether the Blues will push for a more senior midfielder in the January window as well. Kalvin Phillips is expected to secure a move away as he seeks more regular game time to keep his spot in the England squad for the European Championship next summer. And while he has played scarcely for the Blues it is already a thinner squad than even Guardiola is used to