Brighton and Manchester City’s owners have both recently been credited with an interest in Boca Juniors youngster Leonel Flores. A closer look at the 19-year-old makes it fairly easy to see why.
Reports from Argentina first placed the forward on Brighton’s radar before theCity Football Group were also said to be following him.
Neither link has produced a formal offer so far. Yet Flores’ sudden rise at Boca means those claims have arrived at a pretty logical time.
Brazilian outlet Trivela has now published a detailed profile of the teenager, explaining what has made him one of Boca’s most exciting prospects.
There’s also a useful transfer detail. They report his contract contains a release clause worth around €13m (£11.3m).
Why Brighton and City Group are watching
Leonel Flores has become one of Boca’s biggest positives since the World Cup break. Trivela describes him as a brave and “aggressive” attacker who actively looks for one-on-one situations.
He plays mainly from the right but can operate across the attack. His game is built around acceleration, changes of direction and a willingness to run directly at defenders.
Flores likes receiving the ball wide and immediately putting his marker under pressure. From there, he can attack the byline or move inside onto his stronger right foot.
The Brazilian outlet stresses he isn’t just quick. His ability to combine that acceleration with improvisation, short dribbles and quick decisions in tight areas is a big part of his appeal.
Boca’s coaching staff particularly value his explosiveness. Despite still adapting physically to senior football, he can repeatedly produce those bursts throughout matches.
It’s the sort of raw material that makes links with Brighton and City Football Group particularly interesting. Both have spent heavily on young South American talent in recent years, looking to identify players before they become established at the highest level.
Boca have watched him grow up
Leonel Flores is hardly an overnight discovery for Boca. He joined their academy aged seven in 2014 and progressed through every level before becoming one of the reserve team’s leading players.
Flores scored eight times during one Apertura campaign and once managed four goals in a single match against Aldosivi.
His route into Arruabarrena’s team still required some patience. Flores began 2026 behind other academy players and lost some ground before returning to the reserves. He responded by finding his form again and scoring against River Plate.
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|League 2026|||||
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|Appearances|4||||
|Started|4||||
|Minutes per game|79||||
|Total minutes played|315||||
|Goals|0||||
|Asssits|0||||
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That earned him another opportunity with the senior squad, and he didn’t waste it. Flores scored against Sarmiento on his professional debut in the Copa Argentina.
He has since earned more minutes from Arruabarrena and has been one of Boca’s standout performers following the World Cup break.
€13m clause adds another layer
Leonel Flores signed his first professional contract in 2024 and has since extended his agreement until December 2029.
That gives Boca plenty of protection, although Trivela brings an important detail for Brighton, City Football Group and anyone else keeping tabs on him. They say his current deal contains a release clause of around €13m (£11.3m).
That’s particularly interesting given how quickly Flores has moved from reserve football to becoming a genuine first-team option.
Boca understandably want to handle his development carefully. At 19, there will be ups and downs, and the Argentine club want him to establish himself without losing the freedom and aggression that got him there.
The attention from England suggests others are already looking further ahead.
Brighton and City Football Group appear to have spotted the same combination: a very young attacker, already producing at senior level, with plenty still to develop and a release clause which puts a clear figure on any potential move.
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