MANCHESTER CITY are looking to hijack Brighton’s bid to land Boca Juniors youngster Valentin Barco.
The versatile left-back, 19, has a release clause in his contract which would see him leave for around £8million.
City sources have confirmed their interest although it is not yet clear if he would go straight into Pep Guardiola’s squad if they win the race.
Other young players have arrived at the Etihad and been shipped out to join one of the other clubs in the City Football Group stable on loan.
City are likely to be without a senior specialist left-back this season but have options in Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol.
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Barco is believed to be keen on finishing the club season with Boca before moving later this year.
If the Argentine moves to the Etihad then he will be joining at a time when Guardiola's team just can't stop winning silverware.
The Citizens added the European Super Cup to their trophy case after beating Sevilla on penalties at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Greece.
The reigning Premier League champions drew 1-1 with the Andalusians on Wednesday.
The Europa League winners opened the scoring with Youssef En-Nesyri.
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But City equalised with a marvellous header by Cole Palmer in the second half.
The FA Cup winners went on to score every single one of their penalty kicks.
That was until Sevilla's Nemanja Gudelj smashed Ederson's crossbar.
