'The boy is a talent!' – Xavi admits admiration for Claudio Echeverri as Barcelona linked with teenage River Plate star

Barcelona boss Xavi admitted River Plate prodigy Claudio Echeverri is a "talent" amid transfer links with the Spanish giants.

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• Echeverri linked with Barcelona
• Argentine catching the eye at River Plate
• Xavi says teenager is "a talent"

• Table of Contents

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  claims Barcelona are interested in the young River Plate midfielder but face competition from Chelsea, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain. However, the Argentine has previously expressed a desire to join the Catalan side. Now, Barca boss Xavi has spoken about the player nicknamed El Diablito (Little Devil).

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  WHAT XAVI SAID

  He said on Friday: "The boy [Echeverri] is a talent. Beyond the hat-trick he scored against Brazil [at the U17 World Cup], he's a difference-maker, but it's something for the scouting department [to deal with]."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Echeverri, who turns 18 in January, has set his sights on joining Barca one day.

  "As well as River, I would like to play for Barca," he said before the under-17 World Cup in November. "I am a big [Lionel] Messi fan and I watched him play there, so they are a team I have followed since I was very young."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CLAUDIO ECHEVERRI?

  The January transfer window opens in just over two weeks' time. Perhaps Barcelona will make a move for him in early 2024.