Chelsea sign Argentina's Barco from sister club Strasbourg

Chelsea have signed Argentina international Valentin Barco from their sister club Strasbourg, with the 22-year-old penning a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

Barco, who made six Premier League appearances for Brighton in 2023-24, initially joined Strasbourg on loan in February 2025 before that deal became permanent last summer.

He made 58 appearances for the French club overall, with no other Strasbourg player featuring in more matches since his arrival (Ismael Doukoure also on 58).

Barco scored three goals and provided 11 assists for Strasbourg, where he played under Liam Rosenior prior to his short-lived stint in charge of Chelsea, then Gary O'Neil.

He made his senior international debut in 2024 and was named in Argentina's squad for this year's World Cup, as Lionel Messi led them to a second successive final.

Argentina came up short against Spain in the showpiece match with Barco being an unused substitute, and his only appearance at the tournament came off the bench against Jordan in the group stage.

Reports suggest Chelsea are paying around €40m (£34m) for Barco, to a Strasbourg side that have been owned by BlueCo – the same investment group that controls Chelsea – since 2023.

Barco initially made his name as a left-back, though he played 92% of his minutes in central midfield positions last season, often protecting Strasbourg's backline. 

He is the ninth player to join the Blues ahead of their first season under Xabi Alonso, with their recruitment drive headlined by a British-record £117m deal for Morgan Rogers.

Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palestra, Geovany Quenda, Emmanuel Emegha, Denner, Danny Welbeck and Dastan Satpaev have also joined Chelsea, who open their Premier League campaign against Fulham on August 24.