On Thursday, we relayed news from Argentina that Manchester City have stepped up their efforts to sign Boca Juniors’ Valentín Barco.
Later that day, El Grafico reported the Citizens are willing to pay $14m, which is €4m more than his release clause because of a certain clause.
Manchester City have now made an offer to acquire the youngster’s services, if La Nación is to be believed.
The Argentine club received a ‘tempting offer’ from Pep Guardiola’s side on Thursday and this has ‘shook everything’ at Boca.
The 19-year-old has a $10m release clause and the report states it will increase to $14m in the last two weeks of the summer window, which backs up the previous claims from El Grafico.
La Nación’s title reads: ‘Boca received an offer from Manchester City and the protection clause was activated’.
Within the report, it’s claimed the Premier League winners’ proposal is ‘slightly higher’ than the $9m offered by Brighton & Hove Albion. They are also ready to allow the player to feature against Racing [on August 23rd and 30th] in the Copa Libertadores.
The website adds the offer tabled by Guardiola’s side [figures not mentioned] on Thursday could ‘solve the future of the footballer’.
Barco’s teammates Sergio Romero and Darío Benedetto have requested him to continue at the club until the end of this year. Marcos Rojo has also advised him to stay. The left-back, who can also operate as a winger, needs to decide whether to join Manchester City or continue at Boca Juniors.
La Nación state that Boca Juniors’ leaders have contacted Barco to give some suggestions to help him decide his future. For now, he wants to feature against Racing this month and the same has been informed to his entourage.
In short, Manchester City have tabled a tempting offer and Barco’s decision is now awaited.
