Brighton & Hove Albion have placed their first official bid for Boca Juniors fullback Valentin Barco, according to claims from Argentina.
ESPN journalist Martin Arevalo reported on Twitter that the offer has already reached the Buenos Aires giants.
It’s said Brighton offered US$9m clear of taxes, with Boca Juniors keeping a percentage of a future transfer.
The Seagulls would also take the player to England only in December, when the South American season would be finished.
However, according to ESPN journalist Augusto Cesar, that offer has already been turned down by Boca Juniors.
The reporter backs up that Brighton’s bid was US$9m, letting the Argentine club keep 15% of a future move.
It’s claimed that Boca Juniors will only let the player go in case his release clause is triggered. According to previous stories, that is US$10m, so the Seagulls are clearly not far from that.
Augusto Cesar also says that both Brighton and Manchester City want to trigger the clause. The problem is that the player wants to continue playing in the Copa Libertadores campaign, as Boca Juniors are currently qualified for the quarter-finals.
