Arsenal and Manchester United are interested in signing Ezequiel Barco from Atlanta United, according to reports from Calciomercato, with his market value estimated to be in the region of £8m.
Barco, 20, has been with the Five Stripes since arriving from Independiente in 2018. He has been lighting up the MLS and could follow former teammate Miguel Almiron in moving to England. The Argentinian winger has high potential, with some experience at top-flight level in both South and North America but were he to join Manchester United or Arsenal, he would likely be a squad player who would provide excellent cover.
The History and Statistics
The Argentinian’s career began after he joined the youth side of Independiente at 15, signing a professional contract at 16. Barco played his first game for the Primera Division side in 2016, that season he would go on to make 30 appearances for the club in the league, 18 of which were starts. During that time his ball control and dribbling abilities impressed, along with his creativity and goal-scoring, finishing the season with four goals and three assists.
Though during the following campaign, he pushed for a move after Independiente received two bids from Atlanta United for the then-teenager and he would only play for the Argentinian side eight more times, scoring once, providing two more goals. In total he played 57 times for Independiente, scoring eight times, helping the team win the 2017 Copa Sudamericana, where they beat Brazilian side Flamengo 3-2 on aggregate in the final.
After this, he was included in the Argentina U20’s South American Championship, making 14 appearances, while scoring twice, he has since been promoted to the U23s, appearing just once.
Barco then signed for Atlanta United for an £11m fee, and he has since impressed in MLS playing 31 games in his first season for the club, finishing the campaign with a combined six goals and assists, as the team lifted the MLS Cup for the first time. In 2019 he has scored four goals for the second season and guided Atlanta United to the U.S Open Cup.
The Prospects
The diminutive Argentinian stands at just 5’5”, and it may be difficult for him to adapt to life in the Premier League at first, though players such as Ryan Fraiser have proved you don’t have to be physically dominating to thrive in the division. Were Barco to make the move as Calciomercato suggest, it could be a success for all concerned. He could command a transfer fee that would eclipse the MLS record Newcastle United paid for Miguel Almiron, while at just 20 he still has time to develop into an elite talent.
Barco may be better suited to a move to Manchester United: they currently are investing their time and resources heavily in youth, and therefore he would be given a chance to develop; time he may not be afforded in North London with Arsenal. The Gunners also already have an incredibly promising forward in Gabriel Martinelli, who would possibly block Barco’s path to the first team.
If Premier League clubs are willing to overlook his size and stature, there is plenty of talent there. His manager Frank de Boer reported that scouts at the U20 World Cup were dazzled by his stunning goal and consistent performances, but he has struggled to mirror that consistency with his club side so any potential move may be a slight gamble, but for the price, Barco could be worth the risk.
