I like Barcelona but playing for Man utd is my dream – Xavi admits Barcelona want to beat Man United to £26m next Messi as he wants old Trafford move

My dream is to play for Manchester United, but I like Barcelona. Xavi says Barcelona wants to beat United to £26 million for Messi next because he wants to move to Old Trafford.

Spanish champions Barcelona have now declared their interest in River Plate wonderkid Claudio Echeverri, and Premier League powerhouse Manchester United are reportedly in talks with him.

In order to acquire Brazil striker Vitor Roque from Palmeiras, Barcelona already seems to have defeated competition from Old Trafford. Now, the Blaugrana are hoping to make another South American raid.

Major European clubs are swooning over 17-year-old Argentine Claudio Echeverri, who plays for River Plate. According to 90Min, River has held talks with several English-based teams, including Manchester United.

But before he could follow the Ballon d’Or winner to Camp Nou, Barca manager Xavi Hernandez is the first to openly express his admiration for a player who is already drawing comparisons to Lionel Messi.

According to Xavi, “Echeverri is a talent,” via Football Espana. “Apart from the three goals versus Brazil, he is a very good football player.

“But the scouting department is responsible for this, and they are working on it.”

Xavi hinted at “three goals” that he scored in the Under 17 World Cup against Argentina’s rivals in green and yellow. In the quarterfinals, the Albiceleste easily defeated Brazil thanks to a hat-trick from Echeverri, who also won the Golden Boot at the end of the competition.

Barcelona hopes to be Argentina’s next Messi Lionel
According to Xavi, “Echeverri is a talent,” via Football Espana. “Apart from the three goals versus Brazil, he is a very good football player.

“But the scouting department is responsible for this, and they are working on it.”

Xavi hinted at “three goals” that he scored in the Under 17 World Cup against Argentina’s rivals in green and yellow. In the quarterfinals, the Albiceleste easily defeated Brazil thanks to a hat-trick from Echeverri, who also won the Golden Boot at the end of the competition.

Juan Carlos Pasman of The Guardian writes, “Talented with excellent close control and dribbling skills, owing to an exceptional first touch, he is a first-rate passer of the ball and can score too.”

Like other River graduates like Ariel Ortega, Marcelo Gallardo, and Pablo Aimar, he is a quintessential “number ten.”

“Has been practicing with the senior (Argentina) squad and has impressed Angel Di María, among others, with his attitude and style of play.”

Manchester United monitoring the South American continent
Barcelona is reportedly prepared to offer Echeverri more than his £23 million release clause, closer to £26 million, in order to make sure he declines offers from Manchester United, Chelsea, Man City, and other teams and makes a move that Messi would definitely support. This information comes from Radio la Red in Argentina.