Chelsea are reportedly putting the finishing touches on a deal to sign Valentin Barco from sister club Strasbourg, with the Argentine midfielder potentially arriving as a direct replacement for Enzo Fernandez.
“Deal Almost Done”: Barco Set to Leave Strasbourg for Chelsea
According to journalist Ekrem Konur, negotiations between the two BlueCo-owned clubs are at an advanced stage, with the “deal nearly done”.
The smooth talks come as no surprise given the strong relationship between Chelsea and Strasbourg, who share the same ownership group led by Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed a superb season in Ligue 1, where manager Liam Rosenior converted him from a left-back into a central midfielder.
The experiment has paid off handsomely. Barco features primarily as a defensive midfielder for Strasbourg, and his statistics tell the story of a well-rounded talent.
In the 2025/26 campaign, the Argentine has registered one goal and four assists in Ligue 1, while creating 27 chances and completing nearly 87% of his passes.
He also wins an impressive 59% of his duels, showing he can handle the physical side of the game.
The timing of this move feels significant. Enzo Fernandez recently cast serious doubt on his Chelsea future, telling ESPN Argentina:
“There are eight games left and the FA Cup. There’s the World Cup and then we’ll see”.
Reports now suggest the World Cup winner is “99% sure” he will leave Stamford Bridge this summer, with Real Madrid his preferred destination.
Barco, who shares Argentine nationality with Fernandez, looks like the natural heir. However, his game differs slightly from the current Chelsea vice-captain.
While Fernandez operates further forward, Barco typically plays deeper, potentially filling a Romeo Lavia-style role in the squad.
The BlueCo structure makes this deal straightforward. Strasbourg and Chelsea have already done business before, with Emanuel Emegha set to join the Blues next season, while Rosenior made the move to west London earlier this year.
Barco previously spent time at Brighton, so he already knows what English football demands. Now, he looks ready for a second crack at the Premier League — this time in blue.
