Valentin Barco’s loan spell at Sevilla is on the verge of being terminated in January, with the Argentina international struggling to make an impact in La Liga. The 20-year-old defender joined Sevilla at the start of the 2024/25 campaign, following a debut Premier League season at Brighton in 2023/24.
However, Barco has found game time hard to come by, playing just 376 minutes for Sevilla since August. The defender has made just three league starts, with none since September, and it appears that his loan spell is set to be cut short.
“It’s clear that things haven’t worked out for Valentin at Sevilla,” said Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler. “We’ll be discussing his situation with Sevilla and deciding what’s best for his future. We want to see Valentin succeed and we’ll do what’s best for him.”
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, talks are expected to take place regarding an early return to Brighton for Barco. Sevilla do not have a purchase option on the defender, and with no European action for the club this season, it seems likely that they will offload him.
“Valentin Barco could be heading back to Brighton in January after struggling at Sevilla,” Romano tweeted. The news will come as a blow to Barco, who was hoping to use his loan spell at Sevilla to gain more experience and improve his chances of becoming a regular starter at Brighton.
However, with his loan spell set to be cut short, Barco will need to reassess his options and consider what is best for his career. One thing is certain, however – Barco’s time at Sevilla has not worked out as planned, and he will be looking to put the experience behind him and move forward.
“Valentin is a talented young player and we’re confident that he has a big future ahead of him,” said Hürzeler. “We’ll be working with him to help him develop and improve, and we’re looking forward to seeing him back in a Brighton shirt soon.”
Hürzeler’s comments suggest that Brighton are committed to helping Barco develop and improve, despite his struggles at Sevilla. The Argentine defender will be hoping to put his disappointing loan spell behind him and make a positive impact at Brighton.
The decision to recall Barco from his loan spell at Sevilla will depend on a number of factors, including the player’s own wishes and the needs of the Brighton team. However, with the Seagulls competing for a top-seven finish in the Premier League, Hürzeler may feel that Barco’s return could provide a welcome boost to his squad.
As for Barco, he will be hoping to learn from his experiences at Sevilla and use them to improve his game. The Argentine defender has shown promise in his early career, and Brighton will be hoping that he can fulfill his potential and become a key player for the club in the future.
In the short term, Barco’s focus will be on regaining his fitness and form after a disappointing loan spell at Sevilla. With Brighton competing for a top-seven finish in the Premier League, the Argentine defender will be hoping to make a positive impact and help the Seagulls achieve their goals.
Only time will tell if Barco’s return to Brighton will be a success, but one thing is certain – the Argentine defender has a lot to prove after a disappointing loan spell at Sevilla.
