Liverpool were dealt a potential blow in the transfer market yesterday.
The Reds look set to stay be as you were when the window slams shut a week on Wednesday. But that hasn’t stopped the links from circulating.
One of those links put Liverpool as one of the teams interested in Boca Juniors left-back Valentin Barco. As per BBC Sport though, any hopes the Reds had of landing Barco now ended yesterday as Brighton completed his signing for just under £8m.
With Brighton often proving a good finishing school for top talents, Liverpool shouldn’t be too dissuaded by that, though. The Reds should be keeping a close watch over the 19-year-old to see how he develops in the Premier League.
One man who will certainly be doing so is Alexis Mac Allister. Liverpool’s No.10 has previously talked up Barco, and Mac Allister’s Instagram story on Saturday showed his delight the teenager joining his former club.
“Muchos exitos,” wrote the 25-year-old in Spanish tagging in the youngster. With the message translating as ‘many successes’ Mac Allister also added “A practicar el ingles,” which perhaps needs no translation. Agent Macca reporting for duty?
Mac Allister welcomes Barco
Of course, Mac Allister has every reason to be happy at where Barco has ended up. Not only did the teenager feature for his former club and is obviously a countryman, but Brighton are clearly very close to his heart, too.
Should Barco continue Mac Allister’s progression, then Liverpool are the logical next step.
At this stage, that’s obviously hugely dependent on how the full-back takes to life at Brighton. Macca initially struggled to get going on the South Coast.
It isn’t an easy change to go from playing in Argentina to featuring in the Premier League. Barco may take a little time to adapt.
But if he’s patient and sticks at it, like Mac Allister did, then he looks like being a really good prospect.
As every club no doubt is with Brighton’s signings now, Liverpool will surely be taking note of Barco. Perhaps we won’t see him starting games immediately, but when he does, you can be almost sure that interest from the top clubs will start to surface.
The Seagulls cleverness in the transfer market has almost become a self-fulfilling prophecy. With additions like this, that doesn’t look like changing any time soon.
Interestingly, it looks like Liverpool have a man somewhat on the inside. Let’s see how Barco gets on.
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