Chelsea sign Valentín Barco from Strasbourg on seven-year deal
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Chelsea have signed Argentinian international Valentín Barco, 22, from sister club Strasbourg on a seven-year deal, making him the eighth arrival under new manager Xabi Alonso.
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Valentín Barco previously played for Brighton and Strasbourg, making 54 appearances for the Ligue 1 side and seven for Brighton. He was part of Argentina's World Cup squad.
Chelsea have signed the Argentina international Valentín Barco from their sister club Strasbourg on a seven-year deal.
The 22-year-old, who played seven times for Brighton including six Premier League appearances during the 2023-24 season, becomes the eighth arrival of new manager Xabi Alonso’s reign.
A versatile player who can be used in central midfield as well as his regular position of left-back, Barco was in the Argentina squad that finished as runners-up at the World Cup, winning his fifth cap in the 3-1 group-stage win over Jordan.
He moved to Strasbourg initially on loan from Brighton in 2025 and signed permanently later that year having helped the club to qualify for the Conference League. In all he made 54 appearances for the Ligue 1 side.
He was involved in a heated exchange with England’s Jude Bellingham immediately after his side’s 2-1 World Cup semi-final win in Atlanta, with Bellingham appearing to clip Barco around the head. The Argentinian, who was an unused substitute, had earlier run on to the pitch to celebrate after Enzo Fernández had equalised. He is expected to join up shortly with his new teammates on their tour of Australia and Hong Kong.
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Barco will join his new teammates on their tour of Australia and Hong Kong.
Very likely · Within days
