Chelsea in advanced talks to sign Strasbourg's Argentine midfielder Valentin Barco
Chelsea are in advanced negotiations to sign Argentine midfielder Valentin Barco from sister club Strasbourg this summer, according to reports from Argentina. The proposed move would see the 21-year-old return to the Premier League, with Chelsea poised to beat significant competition from Bayern Munich for his signature.
TyC Sports reports that discussions are progressing, though a final agreement between the clubs is yet to be formally concluded. The deal is considered a significant coup for the Blues, with ESPN Argentina's Augustus Caesar noting that the German champions have also shown concrete interest in the player. The shared BlueCo ownership of Chelsea and Strasbourg is expected to facilitate a straightforward negotiation process.
Valentin Barco joined Strasbourg on an initial loan from Brighton & Hove Albion in the latter half of last season, before the French club made the move permanent for a fee of €10 million (£8.7m) last summer. He has since established himself as one of Strasbourg's standout performers in Ligue 1. His career began at Boca Juniors, from where he moved to Brighton in 2024 for £7.8 million.
The midfielder's profile has risen further following his first international goal for Argentina in a 5-0 friendly victory over Zambia this week, as he battles for a place in the nation's World Cup squad. Barco also has a pre-existing relationship with Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior, having played under him during his loan spell at Strasbourg, which is believed to be a factor in the London club's pursuit.
This potential acquisition aligns with Chelsea's recent strategy of targeting high-potential talents, particularly in the wake of the club announcing a record pre-tax loss of £262.4 million for last season. The move would see Barco follow the path of Strasbourg striker Emmanuel Emegha, who joined Chelsea in a separate deal last September, underscoring the increasing fluidity of player movement within the multi-club network.
For Strasbourg, the sale would represent a swift and substantial return on their investment, while providing Chelsea with a versatile, left-footed midfielder who can operate in multiple roles. His arrival would add further depth and youthful promise to Rosenior's squad ahead of the new campaign. The outcome of these talks is now seen as the decisive factor, with a summer transfer to Stamford Bridge appearing the most likely scenario for Barco's immediate future.
