The 19-year-old assisted Boca in reaching the Copa Libertadores final and is eager to play in Europe.

When Manchester City bought Julian Alvarez in January 2022, they made one of the best deals of the twenty-first century. The striker was just starting out in Argentina when City signed him for £14 million ($17 million), and 18 months later he had won every trophy imaginable, including a World Cup with the Albiceleste and a key member of City’s treble-winning team.

While Brazil has become a very competitive hunting ground for European clubs looking for young talent in recent years, Argentina remains underappreciated in comparison, which means teams can receive tremendous value for money. And, over two years after discovering Alvarez, City is one of numerous clubs looking for Argentina’s next superstar.

Valentin Barco, 19, has developed as one of Boca Juniors’ top players and, like Alvarez, has built his reputation in South America’s equivalent of the Champions League, the Copa Libertadores. Barco led Xeneize reach the 2023 final, where they were nearly defeated in extra time by Fluminense at the Maracana, but he is expected to go far in the future.

In his first full season with the Argentine giants’ first team, the adolescent has stood out among veterans such as Edinson Cavani, Marcos Rojo, and Sergio Romero. He came in as a marauding left-back but quickly morphed into an attacking playmaker, demonstrating versatility that will serve him well when he ultimately takes the next natural step and moves to Europe…