Chelsea’s next summer signing confirms transfer
19 May 2026 07:02 BST |
7 min read
Valentin Barco has officially confirmed that he is leaving Strasbourg this summer ahead of a transfer to fellow BlueCo club Chelsea.
The Argentina international has been one of Strasbourg’s standout performers since his arrival at the club in 2025 and he is on the verge of becoming the fifth player to move to Stamford Bridge this summer, following Geovany Quenda, Emmanuel Emegha, Dastan Satpaev and Denner.
Barco has made 43 appearances for Strasbourg this season, scoring three goals and providing nine assists, and it was reported that Chelsea were “very close” to signing him back in Marchwith the Blues ready to raid their sister club to secure his signature.
In April, it’s understood that a deal was agreed and transfer reporter Ben Jacobs has now revealed that an announcement confirming the switch will be made public by Chelsea following the conclusion of the season.
Strasbourg secured a 5-4 win over AS Monaco in their final match of the season on Sunday and Barco bid farewell to the club’s supporters after the match, before releasing an official statement on Instagram on Monday night.
“Today I say goodbye to this club that I really looked forward to. In this year and a half many good times passed, including the best of our lives on 03/28/2025 when Gemma was born,” Barco wrote.
“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. Thank you Strasbourg.”
Analysis: Where will Valentin Barco play for Chelsea?
An agreement to sign Barco was finalised long before Xabi Alonso’s appointment as Chelsea’s new manager was confirmed, and it remains to be seen how he will fit in under the Spaniard.
Barco arrived at Strasbourg from Brighton & Hove Albion as a left-back, but he was soon converted into a central midfielder by Rosenior and due to his height of 5’7”, he’s likely to remain in the middle of the park at Chelsea.
At full-back, he can often be overpowered by attackers at the back post, although he could still be deployed as a left wing-back by Alonso, with his versatility likely to help him at Stamford Bridge.
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