PEP GUARDIOLA plans to sign Boca Juniors left-back Valentin Barco — then loan him out to his old pal Enzo Maresca at Leicester.
Manchester City’s transfer team are closing in on a deal for the 19-year-old defender as they edge ahead of Brighton in the race to bring him to the Premier League.
Manchester City are close to signing Valentin Barco Credit: Getty
But boss Guardiola’s idea is to farm out Barco to his former coaching sidekick Maresca once he is signed because they think the teenager needs the experience.
It could be a massive boost for promotion-chasing Foxes if City can clinch the deal during January’s window.
But even if Barco’s move is delayed until next season, Guardiola is still keen to send him to the Leicester ‘finishing school’ before using him at the Etihad.
Barco has a fixed fee of around £10million but extra costs will make the deal worth up to £13m..
Guardiola is keen to land the Argentinian, who has shone at club level and was a stand-out in the recent Copa Libertadores final, when Boca lost 2-1 to Brazilians Fluminense in extra-time.
Brighton hoped to win the chase after making the first serious bid for Barco but even they now fear they only have a 25 per cent chance.
The Seagulls first tried to sign the defender this summer and went close to triggering his release clause.
The Sussex outfit have signed a host of players from South America in recent years with great success.
Alexis Mac Allister was a star at the club until he was sold to Liverpool for £35m.
Moises Caicedo also joined from South America and was eventually sold to Chelsea for a British record fee of £115m.
While the likes of Facundo Buonanotte continue to impress when handed game time by manager Roberto De Zerbi.
This season Barco has featured 31 times in all competitions.
He has been used in various different positions including left-back, left-wing and even centre-midfield.
Barco has managed to chip in with four assists and one goal.
The goal was the first of his professional career as he bagged in the 4-0 win over Monagas in the Copa Libertadores.
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