“Not Better Than Arda Güler”: Florentino Rejects Signing Him, Heads to City
Real Madrid is still in shock after the debut of Arda Güler, who has shown ample evidence of why the white club chose him as its major market project. Florentino Pérez, among others, rejected the latest signing for City to enjoy the Turkish player.
There are reasons behind a decision that initially had the approval of Juni Calafat but ended in refusals from Florentino Pérez. This is how Real Madrid decided not to bet on Manchester City’s latest big signing. Arda Güler looms in the background, and yesterday, part of the story was explained.
The name in question is none other than Claudio Echeverri. The jewel of River Plate will leave Buenos Aires for Europe in January 2025 to land, if nothing goes wrong, at Girona and later in Guardiola’s ranks. Calafat had him on his radar, analyzed the pros and cons of the operation, but it ultimately did not happen thanks to the player currently in the spotlight at Concha Espina.
Enzo Mentepaeone, Echeverri’s agent, confirmed that an agreement was reached with Manchester City last week, and the details of how his pupil’s life will continue before arriving at the Etihad Stadium. Radio La Red, the place where everything became official: “The operation is 99% complete. He has already passed the medical exams; the announcement will be made in the coming days.”
Madrid’s Reaction Of course, the Whites had River Plate’s jewel on their agenda. As with many young talents, Madrid analyzed the amounts of a possible move for Echeverri. After studying his case and seeing that he would not go for less than the €25 million his transfer cost, the club has decided not to go for his signing. Manchester City celebrates, but at Valdebebas, they defend their stance.
“Not better than Arda Güler” is the reason why his arrival at the Bernabéu was ultimately dismissed. He was not seen with as much potential as Güler and did not seem to have a short-term place in a squad full of prominent names for the next decade. Echeverri, barring a 180-degree turn in the future, will be a rival of Arda and not his partner on the field.
