19 May 2026 07:02 BST |<\/span> Cameron Smith \n Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020 <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Valentin Barco has officially confirmed that he is leaving Strasbourg this summer ahead of a transfer to fellow BlueCo club Chelsea.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Barco has made 43 appearances for Strasbourg this season, scoring three goals and providing nine assists, and it was reported that Chelsea were \u201cvery close\u201d to signing him back in March<\/b>with the Blues ready to raid their sister club to secure his signature.<\/p>\n In April, it\u2019s understood that a deal was agreed<\/b> and transfer reporter Ben Jacobs<\/b> has now revealed that an announcement confirming the switch will be made public by Chelsea following the conclusion of the season.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s supporters after the match, before releasing an official statement on Instagram<\/b> on Monday night.<\/p>\n \u201cToday 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,\u201d Barco wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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\u2019Neil) 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.<\/p>\n <\/center><\/p>\n \u201cFrom 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you very much for this year and a half, and many successes for the future. Thank you Strasbourg.\u201d<\/p>\n An agreement to sign Barco was finalised long before Xabi Alonso\u2019s appointment as Chelsea\u2019s new manager was confirmed, and it remains to be seen how he will fit in under the Spaniard.<\/p>\n 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\u20197\u201d, he\u2019s likely to remain in the middle of the park at Chelsea.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Build The FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122: LEGO\u00a9 releases stunning football-inspired collection<\/b><\/p>\n Chelsea expected to reach transfer agreement after McFarlane hint<\/b><\/p>\n Chelsea Transfer News Today: Osimhen wanted as Alonso makes major call<\/b><\/p>\n Transfer Rumours: Alonso to sell ‘untouchable’ Chelsea star to fund \u20ac100m signing<\/b><\/p>\n Check out FootballTransfers’ new app for all of football’s big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.<\/p>\n The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:<\/p>\n \u2022Google Play<\/b><\/p>\n \u2022App Store<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n Digital Content Producer<\/span>\n <\/div>\nAnalysis: Where will Valentin Barco play for Chelsea?<\/h2>\n
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