Brighton & Hove Albion are closely monitoring the Argentine prodigy Valentin Barco with great interest as a potential transfer to the Amex Stadium in the upcoming January transfer window.
Expectations were set high for the Brighton & Hove side, led by the Italian manager Roberto De Zerbi, following their historic 6th-place finish in the previous season. They secured a direct spot in the UEFA Europa League, marking the club’s first-ever participation in European football in its 120-year history.
Brighton kicked off their 2022/23 Premier League season impressively, securing five wins in their first six league fixtures. However, subsequent defeats and a series of draws disrupted their ambitious run. As the league reaches its halfway point, the Seagulls find themselves in 9th place with 27 points — comprising 7 wins, 6 draws, and 5 defeats in 18 league outings.
Despite coping with a depleted squad and a series of injuries, Coach De Zerbi has managed to keep the season afloat. In their maiden European campaign, they made history by finishing the group stage as group winners, advancing to the knockouts and outclassing regulars in European competitions such as Ajax, Marseille, and AEK Athens.
However, the Seagulls face a significant concern with their weakened defense, particularly in the full-back units, owing to injuries to Pervis Estupiñán and Tariq Lamptey. As a result, due to the shortage of left-back options in the squad, the Italian boss is deploying Igor, Adam Webster, and James Milner in the left-back position who have done a remarkable job in their makeshift roles. Moreover, the lengthy season ahead will challenge sustaining this setup with limited options.
Reportedly, Brighton is keen to sign the 19-year-old Argentine left-back currently under contract with Boca Juniors. The teenage talent has been on the radar of the Seagulls, as well as several other Premier League clubs, throughout the summer transfer window. Earlier, Brighton had come remarkably close to triggering Valentin Barco’s £10 million release clause.
After discussions between Brighton’s representative and Barco, the player expressed his desire to remain with Boca Juniors until his contract expires on December 31, 2023. However, the club is unwilling to let him depart as a free agent and wants him to extend his contract with a significantly improved deal, potentially leading to an increase in his release clause to £15-16 million. Given these circumstances, the Argentine outfit is now open to considering offers for their highly-rated club talent.
According to reports, the Seagulls are set to pursue a deal for Valentin, even if they have to contend with other major clubs or potentially pay a higher price than initially proposed. Brighton has gained recognition for its recent success in acquiring talents from South America. Notably, one of Valentin’s international teammates, Facundo Buonanotte, is already part of Brighton’s squad.
The U23 Argentine international could potentially become another success story under the guidance of Roberto De Zerbi. Additionally, the defender’s arrival at Amex could add depth to the full-back options and also provide versatility in the wide midfield position, given his ability to operate in advanced roles as well.
Exploring Valentin Barco Player’s Profile
Background
Valentín Barco was born in July 2004 in Veinticinco de Mayo, a town in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. He initiated his football journey with Sportivo Las Parejas before joining the Boca Juniors Academy in 2014. Barco progressed through the ranks of their youth set-up, making his debut in the first-team operations in 2021. As a result of his promising performances, he was recognized and inducted into The Guardian’s Next Generation Talent list in the same year.
The 19-year-old left-back made his debut for the senior team in 2021, and since then, he has accumulated 35 appearances, scoring once and providing 4 assists for Boca Juniors. Additionally, he has earned over 10 caps for Argentina’s youth teams under the guidance of head coach Javier Mascherano.
Barco’s Positioning and Style of Play
Barco is predominantly a left-back but also showcases versatility by operating higher up the pitch as a wide midfielder and winger. His out-and-out attacking mindset as a full-back is a rare talent in the Argentine league. Interestingly, this season, the prodigy has mainly played as a wide midfielder on the left flank, continuing a trend from his youth days at the club. His exceptional attacking ability makes him the most sought-after name in the Premier League.
Valentin Barco’s strengths reside in his explosive pace and acceleration, allowing him to operate down the flanks and cover ground, rarely getting caught out of position. In addition to his speed, his crossing and passing abilities are noteworthy. Moreover, he excels in carrying the ball through progressive runs, thriving in one-on-one situations, and delivering progressive passes, further enhancing the strong aspects of his game.
Conclusion
The teenage talent’s certain aspects have emerged as weak points in his game, including defensive aerial duels, finishing, and discipline. Given his age, there is potential for improvement in these areas over time. Therefore, under the supervision of Roberto De Zerbi, there is a significant opportunity to enhance his overall game. Nevertheless, it won’t be an easy task, considering the quality of the Premier League. Valentin Barco can be viewed as a long-term prospect for the club.
