Brighton & Hove Albion reportedly remain confident of completing a deal for Boca Juniors full-back Valentin Barco in 2024.
The 19-year-old was believed to have been the subject of significant interest from the Seagulls over the summer, as well as treble winners Manchester City.
The summer window closed with Barco still on the books with the Argentinian giants, but both sides have continued to keep tabs on him ahead of potential swoops in January.
A recent report claimed that Barco had reached an agreement in principle to join Man City, who were growing increasingly hopeful about their chances of a transfer midway through the season.
However, The Sun claims that Brighton are not giving up the ghost and are preparing to reignite their interest in the 2004-born defender before the winter window opens for business.
Barco's Boca Juniors contract - which expires in December 2024 - is believed to include a modest release clause of £10m, which Brighton were close to triggering over the summer.
However, with two more esteemed European clubs in Man City and Juventus also in the picture, Brighton were unable to reach a full agreement before the Premier League window slammed shut.
Nevertheless, Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is positive that Barco will view the Amex Stadium as the best place to advance his career, although they may end up having to pay more than £10m.
Boca Juniors are not giving up hope of keeping the 19-year-old on the books with a new-and-improved deal, though, and such terms could see his release clause rise to £16m.
A £6m increase would not prove problematic for either Brighton or Man City, but it is unclear whether Juventus plan to go back in for Barco either in January or at the end of the season.
Barco made his senior debut for Boca Juniors in 2021 and has since represented the club on 22 occasions in all competitions, scoring one goal and setting up two more.
All three of Barco's goal contributions for Boca Juniors so far have come in the 2023 season, including one strike and one assist during the Blue and Gold's Copa Libertadores campaign.
Barco has made five starts for Boca Juniors in South America's premier continental tournament this year, and the Argentinian giants will face three-time winners Palmeiras in the semi-finals.
Furthermore, the defender has also earned eight caps for the Argentina Under-20 team and played four games during the recent Under-20 World Cup, setting up one goal before his nation lost to Nigeria in the last 16.
While predominantly a left-back, Barco has also been deployed as a left wing-back and left-winger during the early stages of his career. body check tags ::
