Strasbourg talent Valentin Barco is catching the attention of Chelsea and other top clubs according to reports.
Barco joined the Ligue 1 outfit from Brighton in the summer and has made a very good start to the season in France.
The 21-year-old is a left back, who can also play in midfield, and he’s made 18 appearances in all competitions, scoring once, and providing four assists.
Chelsea interested in Valentin Barco
Strasbourg are owned by BlueCo and are part of the multi club model at Chelsea, which benefits both clubs in different ways.
Chelsea send three of their most talented youngsters to Strasbourg each season to help develop them, whilst the French side are also able to sign players they previously wouldn’t have been able to.
Valentin Barco playing for Strasbourg.
Barco is catching the attention of Chelsea.
The Blues also get first refusal of the top talent at the club, and have already signed Mamadou Sarr and Emmanuel Emegha.
However, it appears another Strasbourg player is one their radar, and Caught Offside have provided an update on the situation.
“Chelsea are still closely monitoring Barco after looking at him in the summer,” one source told Caught Offside.
“Bayern Munich have also been watching him, as have Atletico Madrid, but he’s under contract at Strasbourg until 2029 so there’s no panic at Strasbourg’s end, and they’ll demand a big fee if anyone makes an approach.”
The Blues have previously been linked with Barco, and it will be interesting to see how he develops this season, and if anyone makes an approach in the summer.
Chelsea and Strasbourg relationship beneficial to both clubs
A lot has been made of the multi-club model, and there have been accusations that Strasbourg are just a feeder club for Chelsea.
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Strasbourg president Marc Keller has come out and denied those claims, although he did admit the Emegha transfer caused issues.
The French side are one of the favourites to win the Conference League, and will be hoping to qualify for Europe again, something which would have been unlikely without BlueCo.