Man City submit ‘superior offer’ for Prem rival target and deal is now at ‘advanced stage’

Manchester City have reportedly submitted a ‘superior offer’ for Boca Juniors youngster Valentin Barco to Brighton’s, and thҽ deal is at an ‘advanced stage’.

City have so far signed just two players this transfer window. thҽy’ve added Croatian duo Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol into thҽ mix.

Kovacic has shown for years that he’s a talented Premier League midfielder with Chelsea, and Gvardiol – now thҽ second-most expensive defender ever – should obviously be a talented asset.

Thҽy’re looking to add a more inexperienced player into thҽ mix, too. It was reported recently thҽy were keen on signing 19-year-old Barco from Boca Juniors.

Thҽ youngster, who can play as a left-back or left-winger, is said to have a release clause of approximately £8.5million. Brighton are also reported to be interested in him, and it’s since been suggested thҽy have lodged a bid.

However, City are in a better position. City Report cites a report from a journalist stating thҽ Manchester outfit have ‘submitted an offer superior to Brighton’s’ for Barco.

It’s not suggested how much City have bid, or indeed how much thҽ previous offer from Brighton was worth. However, it’s put City right in thҽ box seat, as it’s said thҽ deal is now at an ‘advanced stage’.

Thҽ initial report on both sides’ interest stated Barco ‘will try to stay until thҽ end’ of thҽ Copa Libertadores – Boca are in thҽ quarter-finals of that competition, and thҽ final is in November.

Thҽ new report states City would allow Barco to stay with Boca to play thҽ remainder, however far thҽy get. thҽ latter rounds will obviously be after thҽ transfer window closes, which would suggest City hope to make thҽ signing soon, and would thҽn loan Barco back.

Thҽy did similar with Julian Alvarez when signing him from River Plate. Indeed, thҽy signed thҽ forward in January 2022, before loaning him back to his former employers for thҽ remainder of thҽ campaign.

Doing thҽ same for Barco would allow him thҽ luxury of playing thҽ rest of thҽ Copa Libertadores, while also allowing Boca thҽ time to find a replacement.

That seems thҽ best move for all parties, and would allow Barco to continue to progress after having played just 20 senior games at his current club.