The 19-year-old has attracted attention from European clubs since his debut with Boca Juniors earlier this year. Barco has played in 18 matches for the Argentine team in 2023, including 11 starts in the league and six appearances in the Copa Libertadores. He can play as a left-back or left-winger and scored his first senior goal in a Copa Libertadores victory over Monagas SC. Boca Juniors has since reached the semi-finals of the competition, where they will face Palmeiras.
Barco's current contract with Boca Juniors runs until December 2024, and it reportedly includes an £8 million release clause. Brighton initially seemed to be leading the race to sign Barco earlier this summer, and Juventus also expressed strong interest in the Argentine Under-20 international. Towards the end of the transfer window, Manchester City reportedly made an attractive offer for Barco, surpassing Brighton's bid. However, a move did not materialize during the summer.
Nevertheless, according to the Daily Star, Manchester City is confident that they can outbid Brighton and Juventus to secure Barco's signing in January. The club is prepared to activate Barco's release clause, and City Football Group director Joan Patsy is responsible for negotiating the deal with Boca Juniors. Patsy, who has a close relationship with manager Pep Guardiola, played a key role in City's acquisitions of players like Gabriel Jesus and Julian Alvarez.
It remains to be seen whether Manchester City intends to immediately include Barco in Guardiola's senior squad upon his arrival in January or seek a loan move for the young player. Manchester City has a history of recruiting South American players, particularly Argentinians, with players like Alvarez, Sergio Aguero, Pablo Zabaleta, Carlos Tevez, and Nicolas Otamendi having represented the senior team.
The potential signing of Barco could raise questions about the future of fellow versatile left-sided player Sergio Gomez, who is currently considered a peripheral figure in Guardiola's first-team squad.
