Manchester City reach agreement in principle over Boca Juniors and Argentina left-back Valentin Barco

Premier League champions Manchester City appear to have taken a significant step forward towards beating off competition for Boca Juniors’ Valentin Barco.

The highly-rated teenager – who was named in The Guardian’s “Next Generation” list for 2021 – is closing in on a move to the Etihad Stadium, despite widespread interest from across European football.

It was understood earlier in the most recent summer transfer window that Brighton & Hove Albion were the favourites for the 2004-born defender, while Serie A giants Juventus also held the player in high-regard.

However now, the latest indications are that the player has opted to join Manchester City, and will get his wish providing the two clubs reach an agreement over the versatile Argentina youth international, who can operate at left-back, left wing-back, and left-wing.

That is according to the latest information from Argentina-based journalist Germán García Grova, who reports that Manchester City have now reached an agreement in principle with Valentin Barco over a potential transfer to the Etihad Stadium.

Following the significant development in negotiations, it is further detailed that emissaries from the UEFA Champions League winners will now travel to Argentina in order to reach an agreement with Boca Juniors over the signing of the 19-year-old.

At present, it remains unclear how much Manchester City would be willing to spend on the signing of the player, however it is understood in some quarters that Etihad officials would be open to triggering the player’s $14 million release clause and paying the sum in one payment.

Barco started his football career at the age of just three-years-old with Sportivo Las Parejas, before being scouted six years later by Boca Juniors, and joining the Argentina giants immediately.

Manchester City’s plans for the player are also uncertain at this stage, however there is the possibility that he could be sent on loan into the European game to one of the City Football Group’s sister clubs, namely La Liga’s Girona.

An agreement similar to that of Maximo Perrone – who joined Manchester City last January – could be seen, after the Argentine midfielder remained with Pep Guardiola’s squad for six months, before leaving on a season-long loan during the recent summer transfer window.