UPDATE (Sept. 5): Calcio Mercato has confirmed that Fiorentina had also expressed preliminary interest in Barco, and that it could turn into a more formal offer should the club complete a transfer to send Italian winger Federico Chiesa to Juventus or AC Milan.
According to the report, Atlanta could also be willing to bring its original asking price down from $25 million to $20-$22 million.
TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Report
As Pity Martinez nears an Atlanta United exit, the changes might not be done this fall for the club.
According to Es Noticia, Europa League champion Sevilla are interested in rising Atlanta star Ezequiel Barco. Sevilla finished fourth in Spain's La Liga last season and beat Inter Milan in the Europa League Final last month. They also just acquired midfielder Ivan Rakitic from Barcelona.
Barco, 21, was MLS's league-record signing when Atlanta United acquired him in 2018. The Argentine youth international has shown glimpses of his quality and potential, though hasn't put together a consistent run of form. Injuries and international duty haven't helped with consistency, but Barco's talent is obvious. He has 10 goals and eight assists across 48 MLS appearances, winning MLS Cup, the US Open Cup and Campeones Cup with Atlanta so far.
The winger was a star at the U-20 World Cup with Argentina last year and continues to be one of the biggest prospects in this hemisphere. He has been linked with Fiorentina and Napoli in the past as well.
If Pity Martinez's transfer goes through as expected, Barco and Josef Martinez will soon be Atlanta's two Designated Players with one open. A source told MLSsoccer.com that Atlanta plan on acquiring a DP this summer, but maybe it'll be two if Barco also leaves.
