The 20-year-old attacking midfielder joined Benfica on a season-long loan from Manchester City in September, with the agreement including an option to make the move permanent. According to Portuguese reporting by O Jogo, Benfica’s hierarchy are pleased with his impact and are open to paying the agreed fee.
However, the club are not expected to rush into a decision. The report indicates that Benfica would prefer to assess Echeverri’s performances over a longer period before committing to the investment, with a possible permanent transfer aimed at strengthening their squad for the 2027-28 season.
Echeverri has already provided encouragement. He made his first start for Benfica in the Europa League match against Omonia and contributed to the opening stages of a 4-1 victory, strengthening the impression that he can become an important attacking option for manager Marco Silva.
The Argentine came through River Plate’s youth system before joining Manchester City. He has been regarded as a technically gifted creative player, but competition for places at the Premier League club made a loan move an opportunity to gain more senior football.
Benfica’s option gives them a route to secure his long-term future without having to negotiate an entirely new transfer fee. The €21m figure is already established in the loan agreement, although exercising the clause remains a decision for the Portuguese club.
The reported interest is not yet a completed transfer. Benfica have not announced that they will activate the option, and the decision is expected to depend on how Echeverri performs over the remainder of the campaign.
For Manchester City, the arrangement offers the possibility of a permanent sale while allowing the player to develop in a different league. For Echeverri, regular involvement at Benfica could provide the platform to establish himself at senior level.
Benfica’s early assessment appears positive, but the financial commitment means they are likely to take their time. The coming months should provide a clearer indication of whether Echeverri has done enough to turn his loan into a permanent move.