Challenge yourself with Craig Hope’s exclusive World Cup quiz for free by signing up to our brand-new newsletter World Cup Unfiltered. Get it HERE <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nBy LEWIS BROWNING, SPORTS REPORTER <\/p>\n
Published:<\/span> 15:58 BST, 19 May 2026 <\/time> <\/span> | Updated:<\/span> 16:32 BST, 19 May 2026 <\/time> <\/span> <\/p>\n
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The man tipped to be Xabi Alonso’s first signing as Chelsea manager has announced he will be leaving Strasbourg at the end of the season.<\/p>\n
Valentin Barco has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, and he has revealed that he will not be playing for the French side – Chelsea’s sister club – next season ahead of his expected move.<\/p>\n
The midfielder wrote on Instagram: ‘Today I have to say goodbye to this club, which I joined with great enthusiasm. In this year and a half, I’ve had some wonderful times, including the best day of our lives,\u00a0March 28, 2025, the day Gemma was born. <\/p>\n
‘I always gave my all on the pitch in every match for this shirt. I want to thank my team-mates who made everything easier for me, Liam and his staff for the trust they placed in me and for making me the player I am, Gary and his staff for understanding me and helping me improve, everyone who works at the club and supports us every day, and the fans for the affection they have always shown me.<\/p>\n
‘From afar, I will support you and cheer you on so you always win. I am incredibly grateful to Strasbourg, and my family and I will return whenever we can; it’s a very special place in our lives.’<\/p>\n
‘Thank you so much for this year and a half, and best of luck for the future. Thank you Strasbourg.’<\/p>\n
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Valentin Barco (right), who is expected to be Xabi Alonso’s first signing as Chelsea boss, has announced he is leaving Strasbourg<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Alonso has a long to-do list with the Blues and is expected to be busy in the transfer market<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Barco, who joined the club from Brighton – initially on loan – in February last year, can play in either midfield or at left back. In his post, he referenced former Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior, who coached the club before his move to the Blues.<\/p>\n
He is now expected to join the Blues and become Alonso’s first signing when he takes over in the summer.<\/p>\n
Daily Mail Sport<\/span> has been told Alonso liked what he heard during his interview process, led by the club\u2019s co-sporting directors, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, and that all soon realised they were aligned when discussing what they need to do to be successful.<\/p>\nChelsea even offered to name Alonso their \u2018manager\u2019 rather than \u2018head coach\u2019 after promising him more power than their previous appointments. The former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid\u00a0boss will be an equal partner alongside their sporting leadership team and ownership.<\/p>\n
He is expected to be busy in the transfer market, in terms of both incomings and outgoings. There is plenty of dead wood to chop – especially if he wants to bring players in.<\/p>\n
It’s understood that the Spaniard has also been tasked with changing the culture around the club, as well as improving top stars who have struggled to impress this season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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