Chelsea ‘strike agreement’ for first Xabi Alonso transfer as Argentine star says his goodbyes

Chelsea have reached an agreement sign the first player of the Xabi Alonso era at Stamford Bridge after the Spaniard was announced as the club’s new manager on Sunday

Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Valentin Barco on a long-term deal from Strasbourg. The 21-year-old has spent the last 18 months at the Ligue 1 club, following a £7.8million move from Brighton in January 2025.

The midfielder has excelled during his time at Strasbourg, making 58 appearances across all competitions and playing a crucial role in their progress to the Conference League semi-final this season.

However, after Strasbourg’s final game of the season against Monaco on Sunday, Argentina international Barco announced in an emotional statement on Instagram that he will leave club this summer.

“Today I say goodbye to this club that I really looked forward to,” Barco said. “In this year and a half many good times passed, including the best of our lives @yaz.jaureguy on 03/28/2025 when Gemma was born. I always left everything on the field at every game for this shirt.

“I want to thank my teammates who made everything easier for me, Liam (Rosenior) and his staff for the confidence they gave me and for making me the player I am, Gary (O’Neil) and his staff for understanding me and helping me improve, to everyone who works at the club and us they accompany and support me every day and to the fans for the love they always gave me.

“From a distance I will support them and make strength for them to always win, I am totally grateful to Strasbourg and we will be back with my family whenever we can, it is a very special place in our lives. Thank you very much for this year and a half, and many successes for the future (blue love heart emoji). Thank you Strasbourg.”

According to TyCSports, Chelsea are the team that has signed Barco, with the former Boca Juniors and Sevilla man poised to make the switch from the Blues’ sister club this summer.

He would become the second Strasbourg player to join Chelsea, with forward Emmanuel Emegha having already agreed a move within the multi-club model, as both are owned by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.

It’s anticipated to be the 13th transfer between the two BlueCo clubs since the start of last season, with Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders under consideration to return to west London following a successful loan spell.

Chelsea are preparing for life with Xabi Alonso next season after the Spaniard was confirmed as the club’s new manager on Sunday. He is expected to start work at Stamford Bridge on July 1 and has signed a four-year deal.

The Blues still have two more matches to go of this campaign, however, as they host Tottenham on Tuesday before making the trip to Sunderland on the final day on Sunday.