According to GIVEMESPORT sources, Chelsea is in negotiations to sign Valentin Barco from sister club Strasbourg as Liam Rosenior’s first acquisition. The Blues have had a difficult season thus far, but they qualified for the FA Cup semi-finals earlier on Saturday night after defeating League One team Port Vale 7-0, ending a four-game losing streak in all competitions.
Chelsea is currently one point behind Liverpool in sixth place in the Premier League standings, but they are already making plans to bolster their team during the upcoming transfer window for the new manager. Chelsea is still striving to qualify for the Champions League tournament next season.
Having thrived under Rosenior before moving to Stamford Bridge, Barco, who has been called “phenomenal”, has been one of the star players for Ligue 1 team Strasbourg this season. After failing to establish himself at left-back for the Seagulls after joining from Boca Juniors, the Argentine signed an £8 million contract with Strasbourg in February 2025.
Chelsea in talks to sign ex-Premier League midfielder
Chelsea and Strasbourg are still in the process of negotiating a possible summer move, albeit nothing has been finalised or agreed upon yet. As early as 2025, Chelsea had been considering a move for Barco; nevertheless, GIVEMESPORT has learnt that there was internal discussion on whether to pursue a deal for this summer or for summer 2027.
But since the January transfer window, negotiations have accelerated due to the player’s quick ascent, and it now appears like he may be Rosenior’s first acquisition. Barco’s ascent to fame also led to his inclusion in Argentina’s senior team during the most recent international break.
Barco, who made his debut in 2024, was called up for the March matches against Mauritania and Zambia. The young player scored his first goal for his country in the latter’s 5-0 victory, putting him in the running to make the World Cup roster.
