I like Barcelona but playing for Man utd is my dream – Xavi admits Barcelona want to beat Man United to £26m next Messi as he wants old Trafford move

I like Barcelona but playing for Man utd is my dream – Xavi admits Barcelona want to beat Man United to £26m next Messi as he wants old Trafford move

Premier League giants Manchester United are reportedly engaged in a dialogue over River Plate wonderkid Claudio Echeverri and Spanish champions Barcelona have now confirmed their own interest.

Barcelona already appear to have fought off competition from Old Trafford to bring in Brazil striker Vitor Roque from Palmeiras, and the Blaugrana are now hoping to follow that up with another South American swoop.

Claudio Echeverri, a 17-year-old Argentine plying his trade for River Plate, has Europe’s major clubs fawning over him. 90Min report that Manchester United are one of a number of English-based outfits who have held talks with River.

But Barca boss Xavi Hernandez is the first to publicly confirm his admiration for a player who is already earning comparisons with Lionel Messi, even before potentially following in the Ballon D’Or winner’s Camp Nou footsteps.

“Echeverri is a talent,” Xavi says, via Football Espana. “Beyond the three goals against Brazil, he is a differential footballer.

“But this is down to the scouting department, and they are on it.”

Those ‘three goals’ Xavi was eluded to came against Argentina’s yellow-and-green clad rivals in the Under 17 World Cup. Echeverri scored a hat-trick as the Albiceleste breezed past Brazil in the quarter-finals, and ended the tournament as the Golden Boot winner.

Barcelona want Argentina’s next Lionel Messi
“Echeverri is a talent,” Xavi says, via Football Espana. “Beyond the three goals against Brazil, he is a differential footballer.

“But this is down to the scouting department, and they are on it.”

Those ‘three goals’ Xavi was eluded to came against Argentina’s yellow-and-green clad rivals in the Under 17 World Cup. Echeverri scored a hat-trick as the Albiceleste breezed past Brazil in the quarter-finals, and ended the tournament as the Golden Boot winner.

“Talented with excellent close control and dribbling skills, owing to an exceptional first touch, he is a first-rate passer of the ball and can score too,” Juan Carlos Pasman writes in The Guardian.

“He is a classic ‘number ten’ in a similar vein to other River graduates, such as Ariel Ortega, Marcelo Gallardo and Pablo Aimar.

“Has already been training with the senior (Argentina) team, impressing – among others – Angel Di María with his playing style and attitude.”

Manchester United keeping tabs on South America
According to Radio la Red in Argentina, Barcelona are willing to go above and beyond Echeverri’s £23 million release clause, offering closer to £26 million as they look to ensure he turns down Manchester United, Chelsea, Man City and co and makes a move Messi would undoubtedly endorse gladly