Official Market: Strasbourg Gem Bids Farewell... Chelsea Next

Argentine international Valentín Barco announced his departure from Strasbourg on Monday, after a season and a half with the French club. The midfielder is now set to sign a six-year contract with Chelsea, according to French and English press reports.

His farewell was anticipated. On Sunday, during his substitution in the 59th minute of the match against Monaco (5-4) on the final day of Ligue 1, Barco applauded the Meinau Stadium crowd and kissed the club's badge. Confirmation arrived via a lengthy message on his Instagram account.

“Today, I announce my departure from this club, which I joined with great hopes. In a year and a half, I experienced magnificent moments, especially the most beautiful: the birth of my daughter. I will continue to support the club from afar. We will return as a family as soon as possible. Strasbourg will remain a special place for us,” the player wrote.

Barco's tenure at Strasbourg began in January 2025, when he arrived on loan from Brighton. After a less successful spell with the Seagulls and Sevilla, the 21-year-old revitalized his career by embracing the BlueCo project, which he had previously declined years earlier.

Under the guidance of Liam Rosenior, the former left-back was transformed into a high-quality midfielder. After Strasbourg activated his purchase option last summer, Barco shone so brightly that he was nominated for the UNFP Young Player of the Season award and reclaimed a spot in the Argentine national team.

The transfer to Chelsea, which had been in negotiations for several weeks, has now progressed. Strasbourg, who signed him from Brighton for €10 million, will sell him for at least double that amount. Negotiations between his agent and the London club were constant, and neither the departure of Liam Rosenior, who insisted on his signing, nor the arrival of Xabi Alonso altered the course of the deal.

At Chelsea, Barco will be offered a six-season contract and will reunite with former teammates such as Andrey Santos, Mamadou Sarr, Mike Penders, and Emmanuel Emegha.