An insight into Barcelona’s failed pursuit of River Plate sensation Claudio Echeverri has been provided.
This comes after confirmation was forthcoming in the media that the race for Echeverri’s services had come to a conclusion.
As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Premier League champions Manchester City have beaten out the competition for the Argentine, in a deal with the potential to rise to almost €24 million.
Just who, though, did City trump in the race for Echeverri?
Spanish heavyweights Barcelona and Real Madrid are both known to have been keen admirers of the youngster, widely regarded as one of South American football’s next great talents.
The former, in particular, were tipped to launch a January swoop for his services, after Echeverri made clear his interest in a move to the Camp Nou.
As revealed by Sport, though, as much was always highly unlikely.
This comes with Barca having only been willing to sanction a move for the midfielder in the case of his contract with River running down, hopeful of Echeverri’s will proving decisive.
But, in the end, Man City’s financial power simply proved too much.
Conor Laird | GSFN
