Barcelona reportedly initiate plan to bring ‘next Lionel Messi’, Claudio Echeverri to the club

Barcelona have set their sight on Claudio Echeverri as their long hunt for a Lionel Messi replacement continues without any result. The 17-year-old is the latest talent from the world of football to be likened to Messi, as it is believed that Echeverri has the right skill set, technique and body language to be the ‘next Messi’.

Claudio Evecherri came into the light after Argentina’s U17 World Cup run, where the 2006 born attacker won the Bronze boot in the tournament. Interestingly, his teammate from the U17 World Cup, Valentino Acuña, was named Messi’s stunt double, because of his style, as the search for ‘next Messi’ does not seem to be ending anytime soon.

Barcelona reportedly want Claudio Echeverri

Barcelona are reportedly interested in bringing Claudio Echeverri, who currently plays for River Plate, to Camp Nou in hopes of him repeating what Messi did for the club. Echeverri has also reciprocated the interest, and has said he would like to play for Barcelona as he grew up watching Messi.

Sources have claimed that Barcelona have shown concrete interest to pay a cost of €30 million to River Plate for Echeverri’s services, which is more than his release clause of €25 million, provided that the financially stressed Catalonian club are allowed to pay in installments.

Echeverri’s representatives are said to feel that closing the deal at this time would benefit the 17-year old, as it would allow him to travel to Europe to sign with Barcelona in the summer of 2024.

Barcelona have been busy figuring out the transfers for the coming window and are already boosted after the arrival of Vitor Roque from Atletico Paranaense.

Echeverri keen to emulate Lionel Messi

Claudio Echeverri has already raised quite a few eyebrows with his display for Argentina in the U17 World Cup, and has also banged the drum about his fanboying of Lionel Messi. Echeverri scored a hattrick against Brazil in the U17 WC, catching the spotlight of being compared to Messi.

Echeverri, just like his hero, is well-known for his exceptional vision and technical ability to trick opponents. As the Catalan club seem to be lacking in terms of creativity, and with Gavi out injured for a long period, the 17-year old may come out to be a significant addition to the club. 

Despite Manchester City’s interest in buying him, Claudio Echeverri is set to snub City’s offer in favor of joining Barcelona, as he remains keen to follow the footsteps of his boyhood hero Leo Messi.

Can Claudio Echeverri live up to the hype that has been created around him? Comment your opinion in the comments.