Manchester City shut door on South America – Guardiola strop crucial

Manchester City have closed the door on any immediate return of Claudio Echeverri to South America, despite fresh interest from Brazilian clubs.

According to journalist Raisa Simplicio, several teams from Brazil have sounded out the player’s situation, but the City Football Group have made their position clear. They do not want Echeverri playing in South American football at this stage of his career.

The update reinforces City’s wider strategy. While Echeverri himself continues to express a desire to return to River Plate, the English club see that option as misaligned with their development plan.

The resistance is not directed solely at River, but at the continent as a whole. From City’s perspective, a move back to South America would slow his European adaptation rather than accelerate it.

Pep Guardiola has made his position clear publicly, expressing frustration with the player’s representation.

As a result, Manchester City are pushing for a European solution. Their plan is for Echeverri to leave Bayer Leverkusen during the current window and join Girona.

The Spanish club, part of the City Football Group, remains the preferred destination and has long been viewed internally as the right environment for the midfielder to gain continuity and confidence.

River Plate are aware of City’s stance and understand that their room to manoeuvre is limited. Other South American clubs, meanwhile, appear even further from the conversation. The message from City is consistent: Echeverri’s next step must happen within Europe.

For now, the situation leaves little margin for alternatives. South America is off the table, and Girona stands as the clearest route forward. Whether the player accepts that path will shape the next phase of this transfer saga.