Manchester City ‘progressing’ in left-back chase as player’s representatives visit City Football Academy

Premier League champions Manchester City are ‘progressing’ in their pursuit of Boca Juniors left-back talent Valentin Barco, according to recent reports.

Interest from the part of Etihad Stadium officials has long been in place, with some sources close to the inner-workings of the football club suggesting that a deal could have been completed last summer if it was not for personal desires from the player’s side.

Valentin Barco – who is widely regarded to be one of the brightest talents to emerge from Argentina – has been keen a move to the Premier League for several months, but also wanted to fulfil commitments at the Copa Libertadores this campaign.

Following the conclusion of that phase of Boca Juniors’ season, it now appears as though Manchester City could finally have a free and uninterrupted run at the player’s signature in the next few weeks.

A new report has as such revealed that a deal could be completed as soon as January, in a move that would replicate their successful negotiations for Julian Alvarez and Maximo Perrone in the past few seasons.

According to the information of FootballTransfers’ Steve Kay, Manchester City’s interest in Boca Juniors’ Valentin Barco is now ‘progressing’ and the defender’s representatives have visited the Premier League champions’ training facility in the last few days.

The report reveals a fresh belief that a deal is ‘likely’ to take place during the upcoming January transfer window, with the 19-year-old himself ‘adamant’ that he wants to join Pep Guardiola’s side amid interest from across Europe.

With regards to the thoughts of City’s Catalan coach, FootballTransfers reveals that Guardiola is ‘hoping to swiftly conclude’ a deal for Barco, as he wants to ‘strengthen his options on the left side’ ahead of the second-half of the ongoing season and beyond.

While the report would suggest that Manchester City themselves have immediate plans to integrate the player into their first-team squad, the places of Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol in the left-back role would indicate that the player would need to head out on loan.

At present, the Premier League champions’ intentions for the player remain somewhat unknown according to sources closer to the club, however there have been suggestions that a loan move elsewhere in Europe could apply.

Leicester City and La Liga leaders Girona have both been linked with loan interest in the player, with defensive talents Callum Doyle and Yan Couto excelling in their temporary agreements at the respective sides.