Chelsea are set to sign Valentin Barco from sister club Strasbourg in the summer transfer window.
It has been reported that Barco will put pen to paper on a five-year contract, keeping him at Stamford Bridge until 2031.
Are you excited by Barco’s summer arrival?
Rosenior's Strasbourg star is incoming.
The midfielder also attracted interest from several other clubs, but in the end, Chelsea were able to convince him to move to west London.
Chelsea promise Valentin Barco he’ll be a ‘cornerstone’ of their project
According to journalist Andres Onrubia, Liam Rosenior played a key role in Barco deciding to join Chelsea.
The pair worked with each other when Rosenior was manager of Strasbourg before his switch to Chelsea midseason.
Strasbourg's British head coach Liam Rosenior (L) speaks with Strasbourg's Argentine defender #08 Valentin Barco
Photo by Frederick FLORIN / AFP via Getty Images
However, Onrubia has also claimed that Chelsea promised Barco that he will be a “cornerstone” of the club’s project in order to convince the 21-year-old to join them.
Barco’s imminent exit is another blow for Strasbourg, who are also set to lose Emanuel Emegha to their sister club.
The Argentine has been one of their best players this season, making 38 appearances in all competitions.
Where Valentin Barco could play at Chelsea next season
In Barco, Chelsea are getting a very versatile player. The Strasbourg star can play in midfield and at left-back.
In the current campaign, Barco has often been deployed as a central midfielder, which is probably his best position. With that in mind, you would expect the Argentina international to play in the engine room at Chelsea.
There is some uncertainty surrounding the future of Marc Cucurella, though. Cucurella has not ruled out returning to Barcelona one day and recently criticised Chelsea’s transfer strategy.
The Spaniard’s contract is also set to expire in 2028. If he is sold this summer or in the near future, Barco could end up becoming the team’s first-choice left-back.
Wherever the former Brighton & Hove Albion man plays, he looks capable of bringing much to this Chelsea side. He is another young talent, though, joining at a time when supporters want to see more experience coming in.
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