Valentin Barco is eyeing a Copa America spot after joining up with the Argentina senior squad.

The rising Albion star is preparing for two friendlies in the USA, versus Ecuador on Sunday and Guatemala a week on Friday.

He is thought to be competing with Sevilla’s vastly-experienced Marcos Acuna for a left-back berth as head coach Lionel Scaloni cuts his initial squad from 29 to 26.

Nicolas Tagliafico is first choice left-back and a certainty for the Copa while Acuna, 32, has 56 caps and has been an important part of the national set-up under Scaloni.

But Barco has now burst on to the scene and offers an exciting option while Acuna has been troubled by a groin issue throughout his domestic season with Sevilla.

The senior squad are currently training at Inter Miami’s facilities.

Barco is expected to feature at the Olympics in Paris later this summer with Argentina sources saying Albion have given him the green light to take part.

Argentina under-23s boss Javier Mascherano recently named a squad for two low-key practice matches against Paraguay to help him select his final group for the Games, which will include three over-age players.

It is unclear where Facundo Buonanotte stands in terms of Olympic selection given that he is in neither of the current squads.

But he has made it clear he would love to represent his country in Paris.