Valentín Barco: Why Manchester City and Liverpool are targeting the Boca Juniors left back, who also plays as an attacking playmaker

Manchester City pulled off one of the steals of the 21st century when they signed Julian Alvarez in January 2022. The striker was just starting to make a name for himself in Argentina when City completed a deal with River Plate for just £14 million ($17 million). ), and eighteen months later he had won every trophy imaginable: he was world champion with the Albiceleste and a key figure in City’s three-time champion team.

While Brazil has become a highly competitive hunting ground in recent years for European clubs looking for young talent, Argentina is still overlooked in comparison, meaning teams can get a lot of value for their money. And almost two years after discovering Alvarez, City are one of many clubs keeping a close eye on Argentina’s next superstar.

Valentin Barco, 19, has distinguished himself as one of Boca Juniors’ best players and, like Álvarez, has built his reputation in the Copa Libertadores, South America’s answer to the Champions League. Barco helped the

In his first full year in the Buenos Aires giants’ first team, the teenager stood out in a team of veterans including Edinson Cavani, Marcos Rojo and Sergio Romero. He came into the team as a scrappy left back, but quickly became an attacking playmaker, demonstrating a versatility that will stand him in good stead when he finally takes the next logical step and heads to Europe…