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Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has decided whether or not he would like to keep Claudio Echeverri in his first-team ranks for the 2026/27 season, according to new reports. Claudio Echeverri originally joined Manchester City from Argentinian side River Plate in January 2025, training under Pep Guardiola and making a surprise senior debut for the Blues in a surprise 1-0 FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace. After starring in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the 20-year-old defied City’s counsel over a loan to City Football Group-owned Girona in Spain, and instead pushed to join Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen for the 2025/26 campaign. However, the attacking midfielder struggled to make a mark in the German top-flight and, after a frustrating first-half of the previous season in Leverkusen, finally paid heed to Manchester City’s instructions and joined sister club Girona on a six-month loan in January. Having returned to Manchester off the back of completing his Girona loan alongside Vitor Reis, it remains to be seen what the 2026/27 season will look like for Claudio Echeverri amid a transitional period for City after Pep Guardiola’s exit. Maresca makes 2026/27 decision on Echeverri According to a recent report from Soy Del Millo, Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca now intends to include Claudio Echeverri in his squad this season after observing the youngster throughout pre-season. It has been said that Maresca has taken a ‘firm stance’ on Echeverri, whom the Italian intends to give minutes at the Etihad Stadium this term, therefore dismissing another loan spell away from City as things stand. The Premier League side remain in the market for at least two midfield acquisitions after the recent exits of Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders to Barcelona and Saudi Pro League outfit Al Qadsiah respectively. Furthermore, the Blues have also told Nico Gonzalez that he is free to leave the club despite the 24-year-old Spaniard expressing publicly that he would like to stay at Manchester City this season, amid ongoing talks with Newcastle United. Where could Echeverri fit in at Man City under Maresca? Manchester City arguably lacked goals from midfield last season as they embarked upon life beyond Kevin De Bruyne, who was not offered a new contract following the 2024/25 season, in a decision behind-the-scenes that recently came to light as part of Amazon Prime Video documentary, ‘A Beautiful Obsession’. Claudio Echeverri poses a threat from midfield and with Manchester City being held to ransom by selling clubs in the final 10 days of the summer transfer window, there is indeed merit in taking a leap of faith in the talented Argentine, who can also play on either wing. Whether Echeverri is involved in any of the immediate Premier League matches could hint at Enzo Maresca’s outlook on the youngster, with City next taking on Crystal Palace away from home on Friday night having defeated Bournemouth in their top-flight opener on Sunday afternoon.