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

ESPN 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).

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]."

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."

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