Portuguese club Benfica have secured Argentine attacking midfielder Claudio Echeverri on loan from Manchester City as Colombian midfielder Richard Rios prepares to move to Saudi Arabia.
The 20-year-old playmaker arrives at Lisbon's Estadio da Luz on a temporary deal from the English champions. Benfica will pay a loan fee of 3 million euros and cover the entirety of Echeverri's salary, with an option to purchase the player for up to 15 million euros.
Formed in the youth academy of Argentine giants River Plate, Echeverri has previously been labeled the next Lionel Messi. He can operate as a winger or behind the central striker, a position occupied at the start of this season by Ukrainian international Sudakov. Echeverri spent last season on loan at Spanish side Girona following an earlier unsuccessful spell in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen.
Richard Rios moves to Al-Ittihad
Echeverri's arrival comes as Colombian midfielder Richard Rios heads out of the club just one year after signing from Brazilian side Palmeiras for 27 million euros. The 26-year-old midfielder has found playing time limited under manager Marco Silva at the start of the current campaign, prompting Benfica's corporate administration to seek an immediate move.
Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ittihad have agreed terms to sign the Colombian player on loan. The agreement includes a loan fee of slightly under 4 million euros and does not feature an option for a permanent purchase.
Rios became the primary target for the Saudi Arabian side after Benfica rejected a 15 million euro proposal from Al-Ittihad for Luxembourg international Leandro Barreiro.
UEFA deadline and squad completion
Both transfer deals are expected to be finalized swiftly to enable Benfica to register Echeverri on their squad list with European governing body UEFA before Wednesday's registration deadline, taking the spot vacated by Rios.
The Portuguese side have also added further depth to their squad with full-back El Karouani joining on loan from Saudi club Al-Qadisiyah. The arrivals come after Benfica recorded a domestic home victory against Estoril in a fixture that featured the debut of midfielder Joao Palhinha.
With the acquisition of the new midfielder and left-back, Benfica are closing their squad roster ahead of the upcoming competition deadlines.
