Manchester City are ‘very advanced’ in pursuing 19-year-old Chelsea target Valentin Barco, with a January move mooted about.
According to Sport via Sport Witness, Manchester City are in the lead to sign 19-year-old Chelsea target Valentin Barco. The Premier League champions remain keen on the Boca Juniors left-back and want to aid his development after completing a winter move.
Manchester City have developed a reputation for identifying young talent and converting them into reliable stars for their team. Not only that, but they have also made a massive profit off player sales that they have helped develop in recent years.
While they have a strong academy, Manchester City are also looking at emerging young talents from elsewhere. Their stronghold in South America have seen some notable stars linked. The most recent example is the success of the acquisition of Julian Alvarez.
Now, they are keen on Boca Juniors left-back Valentin Barco. The 19-year-old has attracted considerable interest from top clubs, including Chelsea and Real Madrid. The latter needs a new left-sided defender, but Manchester City are in the lead for the young star.
Chelsea are also ramping up their efforts to sign Barco before the January window. Boca Juniors are not ready to open talks about a transfer as they await their meeting with Fluminense in the Copa Libertadores final in a few days.
The report states a move away from the club will rapidly materialise if Boca suffer a defeat in that Final. If they win, then talks could postpone as the club will look forward to the Club World Cup. Overall, there are high chances of the 19-year-old Chelsea target moving in January, with Manchester City now in a ‘very advanced’ stage to sign him.
Some reports suggested Barco appeared poised to join Manchester City, who will target paying his €10 million fee. If the 19-year-old arrives in January, it will spell the end for Sergio Gomez, who has no long-term future at the club.
Manchester City will be fine with paying that money, although Boca have other ideas. While they are powerless if a club comes in with that release clause, Boca are trying to hand Barco a new deal and increase the termination fee.
Hence, Manchester City will want to wrap up this deal quickly. Pep Guardiola reportedly wants the player in his first team and remains uninterested in loaning him out. Barco can play as a defender, midfielder and even as a winger, which makes him a versatile option for the Catalan boss.
