Manchester City are now set to bid for Valentin Barco – and plan to loan him back to Boca Juniors until the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
That is according to Planeta Boca Juniors.
So, what is the latest on Manchester City and Valentin Barco? Let’s take a look…
What’s the story?
Well – according to Martin Liberman – the Argentine will definitely be joining Manchester City, and Pep Guardiola has even sent the South American a fitness plan ahead of his arrival.
Now – however – there has been a conflicting report, as Planeta Boca Juniors believe there is still a long way to go until a deal is done.
The Argentinian news outlet claim that Manchester City are only in the process of preparing a bid for Barco, with a $10m (£8m) offer about to be sent to Boca Juniors.
If the bid is accepted, Manchester City will allow the 19-year-old to stay at Boca Juniors on loan for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign, before welcoming him to the Etihad Stadium for pre-season in the summer of 2024.
Barco’s current contract expires in December 2024.
Manchester City may have to pay double for Valentin Barco
Interestingly, Planeta Boca Juniors also state that the Argentinian giants are planning to offer Barco a new five-year contract with a new $20m (£16m) release clause.
If the left-back decides to sign that deal, Manchester City may have to pay double the £8m fee they were hoping to spend on the Argentina Under-20 international.
Nevertheless, a sum of £16m is still a relatively small fee for a club as wealthy as Manchester City, so if Barco does put pen to paper, it shouldn’t result in the deal collapsing.
By the looks of it, the Boca Juniors No.19 could be worth a lot more than £16m soon anyway if he fulfils his vast potential.
Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as anything could happen.
