Brighton and Hove Albion are showing interest in Boca Juniors’ Valentin Barco

Brighton and Hove Albion are showing interest in Valentin Barco. With a new amount of cash to burn from the sale of Moises Caicedo to Chelsea, the Seagulls have expressed interest in paying the £8.5m release clause in the highly rated defenders contract.

Valentin Barco – Talented youngster

They do, however, potentially face a race to sign the Boca Juniors left-back, as Manchester City is also said to be keen to gain the services of a player that has gained caps with the Argentina U20 side.

It would be so typical of Brighton to gain another talented young player, as they look to build upon last season’s showing that gained them a place in European competition. It will be the south coast teams’ first foray into any form of European competition, as they enter the Europa League, as they challenge alongside Liverpool and West Ham United, the latter having qualified by winning the Europa Conference league last May.

It has been a whirlwind the last few seasons for Brighton, and they adapt again in a summer that has seen them lose both Caicedo and another top midfield star Alexis Mac Allister. The business they have done in the transfer window is nothing short of outstanding, as they keep a strong core of players and replace the ones that go for astronomical fees against what they paid.

Talent development

With the reputation the club has for finding relatively unknown young players from South America and developing them into world stars, it will be no shock if Valentin Barco does indeed make the switch to the coastal town. He is though keen to help Boca progress in the Copa Libertadores. They are currently in the last eight, and should the clause be met, he will have to make a life-changing decision.

Likewise, and perhaps more so, City have the pull. It is arguable if he would get regular football, though, something that is very likely to happen at Brighton. They have the immense talent of Julien Alvarez to nurture, and he does not feature regularly enough at the moment. That said, with Pep Guardiola’s side fighting on many fronts again, it will be key to have squad depth.

With Brighton looking to maintain a strong showing in the Premier League, as well as try and go further in the domestic cups, this could be the ideal move for Valentin Barco, as he will see just how quickly the club inspires and turn nuggets into gems.