Brighton & Hove Albion are on the verge of completing the signing of Valentin Barco from Boca Juniors for an £8 million fee, with the 19-year-old having undergone a medical on Thursday. The highly-rated Argentine, who can operate as a left-back or winger, has agreed a four-and-a-half-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.
The Seagulls beat off competition from Manchester City, who had shown interest in hijacking the deal for the Boca Juniors regular. Brighton's extensive scouting network in the Americas has been instrumental in securing emerging talents, and Barco is the latest addition to their growing list of South American signings.
Barco has made 35 appearances for Boca Juniors since breaking into the first team in 2021, including featuring in the Copa Libertadores final defeat to Fluminense last year. He is currently with Argentina's Under-23 squad.
Brighton's ability to offer a clear pathway to first-team football remains a key attraction for young players, as demonstrated by the £115 million sale of Moises Caicedo to Chelsea in the summer. The club currently sits seventh in the Premier League table and has advanced to the knockout stages of the Europa League.
