JUVENTUS are trying to sneak ahead of Brighton for Boca Juniors left-back Valentin Barco.
Barco, 19, who has also been trailed by Man City, has a fixed fee of around £9million in his deal in Argentina.
epa10792729 Boca’s Valentin Barco celebrates after winning the penalty shootout series during a Copa Libertadores round of 16 soccer match between Boca Juniors and Club Nacional at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 09 August 2023. EPA/Juan Ignacio RoncoroniEPA
However, the Seagulls have offered a lower figure in an attempt to a seal a bargain move.
That has alerted Serie A giants Juventus who could jump ahead of the queue for the wonderkid.
The teenager earned rave reviews for Boca, after starring against Racing last week in the Copa Libertadores quarter-final.
He has already appeared 21 times for the South American giants and cemented his place in the first team.
Barco’s performances have also drawn plaudits from vice-president Juan Roman Riquelme, who revealed all about the player’s personality.
Riquelme said: “He is a cheeky lad. We are here to accompany and take care of the boys.
“For them it is a dream to be training every day with players like (Dario) Benedetto, (Marcos) Rojo, (Edinson) Cavani, (Sergio) Romero.
“They have to learn from the greatest because it will help them a lot.
“Barco is a technically very good player and we are very happy to have him with us.”
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Boca face a tough task remaining in the Copa Libertadores, South America’s answer to the Champions League, after drawing 0-0 at home to Racing in the first leg.
Barco, who has reportedly said he wants to win the competition with Boca before departing, suffered a hip injury that forced him off the pitch.
He is now a doubt for the return leg next Wednesday.