(foto: Getty Images)
Chelsea are close to signing Argentine talent Valentin Barco, who has impressed in France and significantly increased his market value over the past year.
Valentin Barco is set to return to the Premier League, with Chelsea close to completing a deal for the 21-year-old Argentine.
According to multiple Argentine sources, the transfer is practically agreed, making Barco the club’s first reinforcement ahead of the new season.
The young player developed at Boca Juniors before moving to Europe with Brighton in 2024.
Last year, he continued his development in Ligue 1 with Strasbourg, where he has made 37 appearances this season.
His progress has been clear in his market value.
At the time of his move to France, Barco was valued at around €12 million. Today, his value has risen to approximately €35 million.
Several top European clubs showed interest, but Chelsea held a key advantage due to their connection with Strasbourg, which operates closely with the London club.
Barco has also made progress at international level.
He recently earned his second cap for Argentina and provided an assist in a 5-0 win over Zambia.
His development includes a significant positional shift.
Initially seen as a left-back, Barco has transitioned into a midfielder, where he has delivered strong performances.
Both Strasbourg and Chelsea are currently competing for European qualification in their respective leagues, although Chelsea, led by Liam Rosenior, sit in 6th place and face a challenging finish to the season.
The move would mark another step forward in Barco’s rapid rise and return him to one of Europe’s most competitive leagues.