EXCLUSIVE: Man City close to sealing €10m Barco transfer

Steve Kay

• Updated: 15 Dec 2023 12:09 GMT
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Manchester City’s interest in Valentin Barco is progressing and his representatives visited the Premier League club’s training facility this week, FootballTransfers can reveal.

It’s now believed that a deal is likely to take place in January - with the 19-year-old adamant that he wants to join the Citizens.

Furthermore, we understand that Pep Guardiola is hoping to swiftly conclude a deal for the player as he wants to strengthen his options on the left side ahead of next year.

Barco, who has also been linked with a move to Liverpool, has been compared with former Man City left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko, someone who is very comfortable inverting into the midfield and combines very well with his wingers.

We are informed that the teenager has a €10million release clause attached to his current deal at Boca Juniors - while his contract is up in December of next year.

Barco has been extensively tracked by the Man City recruitment team this year and there is an ambition to wrap up a move soon so the youngster can join up with the squad.

Who is Man City target Valentin Barco?

Barco has risen to prominence as one of Boca Juniors' standout players this season, helping them to the Copa Libertadores final, often regarded as South America's equivalent to the Champions League.

FootballTransfers’ Estimated Transfer Value model (ETV) ranks Barco at €2.7m owing to his contract being up in less than a year now.

Man City have branched out their scouting network in South America, often with great results. Last year, the Premier League champions secured the services of Julian Alvarez from River Plate for a mere £12m. In just 18 months, Alvarez has turned into one of the most dangerous attackers in the Premier League.