Sevilla appear increasingly confident of securing Valentin Barco on loan, according to a source in the Spanish city.

The LaLiga outfit are keen to bring in the Albion left-back to replace his veteran fellow Argentinean Marcos Acuna, who has joined River Plate.

The expectation in Seville as of Wednesday evening was that, while agreement between the clubs had NOT yet been reached, progress was being made and that Barco would travel to Andalucia in the coming days.

Sevilla technical director Victor Orta is said to have kept close tabs on Barco, aware Acuna would be leaving in the summer.

His playing style is seen as being a perfect fit for head coach Garcia Pimienta, although he would face strong competition for the left-back berth from Adria Pedrosa, a former Spain under-21 international who is going into his second season at the club and made 41 appearances last term.

Barco can also play further forward in an attack-minded left midfield role.

He played most of the final friendly this summer at home to Villarreal but did not get on to the pitch when Prem action started at Everton.

Sevilla started their season by drawing 2-2 at Las Palmas.

They play at this weekend at home to a Villarreal side who recovered from their 4-0 thumping at the Amex to draw 2-2 at home to Atletico Madrid in their opening league game.

Ironically Acuna, the man whose move appears to have opened an opportunity for Barco, was chosen ahead of the Albion youngster for this summer’s Copa America.

Barco has since returned to the group ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia.

All reports of his possible loan at Sevilla make it clear it will NOT be with a view for a more permanent deal.

Albion have high hopes for the 20-year-old they signed from Boca Juniors in January.