Guardiola annoyed as Echeverri snubs Girona loan move

Manchester City’s handling of Claudio Echeverri has taken a decisive turn — and the direction does not point back to River Plate. The club’s internal stance has hardened in recent weeks, with Pep Guardiola reportedly frustrated by how the teenager’s representatives have managed his development pathway. According to South American reports, the City manager has made it clear he doesn’t want the midfielder returning to Argentina, a view shaped both by sporting logic and by simmering tension with the player’s agent. 

Earlier this year, Guardiola was said to be unhappy that Echeverri’s camp steered him toward Bayer Leverkusen rather than Girona — the loan destination City preferred due to style, pathway, and control within the City Football Group. That disagreement appears to have left a mark. If City terminate the Leverkusen loan, they intend to send him to Girona only, closing the door firmly on River Plate’s hopes of a reunion.

But there is more than managerial preference at play. A financial complication highlighted by journalist Germán Balcarce suggests River Plate’s involvement would trigger up to €3 million in performance-related bonuses City are eager to avoid. River have so far received just €2m of the €9m available under the original transfer agreement, and further payouts would activate if Echeverri accumulates minutes in Argentina — something City consider counter-productive both financially and developmentally.

With Echeverri limited to 10 appearances, one assist and just 265 minutes for Leverkusen this season, the situation has reached a decision point. City want him playing — but they want him playing in Europe.

The core of the issue, according to reports, is Guardiola’s irritation that Girona were bypassed in the first place. Girona were always viewed as an ideal development environment: possession-based, tactically aligned with City, and offering a clearer pathway to senior Premier League readiness.

Echeverri’s agent, however, pushed for a Bundesliga opportunity. While Leverkusen are a top coaching environment, the lack of minutes has validated City’s original concerns. Now, with the January window approaching, the club appear ready to intervene directly.

From City’s perspective, sending a €20m South American jewel back to Argentina offers no competitive upside. The financial disincentive only strengthens that view. Triggering multi-million-euro bonuses for minutes outside Europe makes little sense when the club’s long-term plan revolves around integrating him into their tactical ecosystem.

There is also a sporting rationale. Having followed Manchester City’s development strategy closely this season, it’s clear they see Girona as a “finishing school” — a place where loan players absorb the positional play principles required under Guardiola. Returning to the Argentine league does not reinforce those patterns.

Although some outlets still float the idea that River could negotiate a compromise, that seems optimistic given the combined financial and tactical barriers.

In our view, Girona represent the cleanest pathway for Echeverri to get the minutes — and the tactical schooling — City demand from their top prospects. Having covered City’s loan strategies for several seasons, it’s clear they prioritise environments where young players rehearse the same automatisms they’ll execute under Guardiola.

Girona’s midfield rotations, use of interior spaces, and structured pressing are ideal for a player of Echeverri’s profile. A spell there could accelerate his adaptation by a full year. While Leverkusen are a high-quality team, their vertical approach doesn’t mirror City’s positional demands.

Another nuance often overlooked: Girona’s track record with South American players is excellent. Younger talents tend to settle more quickly in Catalonia than in Germany, where tactical expectations and physicality can overwhelm. This context matters — especially for an 18-year-old in his first European season.

Finally, although some analysts claim a return to River could boost confidence, that logic ignores the financial penalties and development stagnation that could follow. City have a long-term plan; breaking it would only muddy his trajectory.

A decision is expected within days, with City likely to negotiate an early termination of the Leverkusen loan. Girona are preparing to move quickly should the green light arrive. Meanwhile, City resume Premier League action on 14 December, and Guardiola is expected to address the topic in his next press conference.

👉 City fans — would Girona be the ideal place for Echeverri to finally explode, or should he fight for minutes at Leverkusen?