Manchester City have made sure they won’t completely lose control of Claudio Echeverri after sending him to Benfica.
The 20-year-old completed his move to Portugal this week. It’s a loan for the season, but Benfica have an option to keep him permanently. Should that happen, City already have their own way of getting Echeverri back.
Record reports that Manchester City secured a €50m (£43.4m) buyback clause as part of the agreement.
Manchester City have protected themselves
There is some disagreement in Portugal over exactly how much Benfica would need to pay first. Record puts their purchase option at €21m (£18.2m). Correio da Manhã has it for €22m (£19.1m), with another €8m (£6.9m) available through bonuses. That could take the deal to €30m (£26m).
Correio da Manhã also confirms the buyback option, although they don’t provide the €50m (£43.4m) figure. Either way, the thinking from City is pretty clear.
They can let Echeverri build his career elsewhere and potentially collect a sizeable fee next summer. If he takes off at Benfica, there’s also a route to bring him back.
That’s useful protection for a player they paid €18m (£15.6m) for when he was only 17.
Marco Silva specifically wanted Echeverri
Correio da Manhã says Echeverri was an express request from Marco Silva. So this wasn’t Benfica taking a chance on ‘just’ another talented youngster.
The manager identified the Argentine’s profile several weeks ago. Benfica’s scouting department put various options on the table, and Silva approved the Manchester City youngster.
He is expected to compete with Sudakov for the attacking midfield role. That could be important after a difficult first season in Europe for Echeverri.
He spent the first half of last season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen before moving to Girona. Neither spell really gave him the platform City would have wanted.
There is at least some Benfica history already. Echeverri started for Leverkusen when they beat the Portuguese side 1-0 at the Estádio da Luz in November 2025.
Already getting settled in Lisbon
Echeverri has now had his first training session with Benfica. Record explains that he underwent physical testing, worked in the gym and then joined his new teammates on the pitch.
Long-time friend Gianluca Prestianni has been helping him settle in. Echeverri was also welcomed by the likes of Aursnes and Palhinha.
He will wear number 30, previously used by fellow Argentine (and former Manchester City player) Nicolás Otamendi.
Benfica have already registered him for domestic and European competition. Correio da Manhã says he could travel with the squad to Madeira on Friday. City can now watch from a distance and see whether Portugal finally gets the best out of Echeverri.
If it does, that €50m (£43.4m) route back to Manchester could become very relevant.
