Chelsea have secured the signing of Argentine defender and midfielder Valentin Barco from Strasbourg, marking their seventh addition this transfer window. Barco has committed to a seven-year contract with the Premier League club.
The 22-year-old joins Chelsea from their sister club Strasbourg, making him the second player to transfer between the two teams this summer following Emmanuel Emegha. This transfer marks the 13th transaction between Chelsea and Strasbourg since last season, reflecting the close ties between the clubs under shared ownership.
Barco was part of Argentina's squad that reached the 2026 World Cup final. He gained attention during the semi-final for his spirited celebrations against England, which led to a heated moment with England's Jude Bellingham.
Known for his versatility, Barco can operate both as a left-back and in midfield. He previously had a brief stint in the Premier League with Brighton three years ago before moving to Strasbourg initially on loan in 2024. After helping Strasbourg qualify for the Conference League, he joined them permanently in 2025.
The signing is part of an active summer for Chelsea as they work on rebuilding the squad under new manager Xabi Alonso. Other recent acquisitions include veteran striker Danny Welbeck from Brighton, defenders Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace and Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, as well as Marco Palestra and Geovany Quenda.
