Claudio Echeverri has been given permission by Manchester City to represent Argentina at the upcoming South American Under-20 Championship.

City signed the 18-year-old midfielder last January but allowed him to stay at River Plate, where he had commanded their attention, for the rest of the year to develop. The Manchester Evening News reported that a decision had been made to bring him to Manchester for the second half of this season to start his development under Pep Guardiola.

Echeverri has said his goodbyes to River, but will not be immediately linking up with Guardiola's first team squad. Having allowed him to represent Argentina in the Olympics five months ago, the Blues are also allowing Echeverri to play in the prestigious South American tournament that runs from late January to mid-February.

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Argentina have not formally announced their squad but the teenager is expected to be included and is already preparing for the competition, with Argentina's first game coming against holders Brazil on January 22. The group stage concludes on February 1, with the final on February 16.

Echeverri will link up with City once he is finished with his international duties. While he could still feature for Guardiola's side this season, the decision to let him play in this tournament is a reminder that he is still viewed as a future prospect by the club.

City did similar with Maximo Perrone, who spent six months in Guardiola's squad after signing from Velez Sarsfeld in January 2023. The Argentine made one appearance - at Bournemouth in the Premier League - before spending the next season on loan at Las Palmas, and after returning to the Blues for pre-season he then headed out for a loan at Serie A newcomers Como.