Strasbourg and Argentina star Valentin Barco is set to join Chelsea once the transfer market opens again this summer.
Bayern Munich were also interested in Barco, but the Blues have won the race for his signature.
The 21-year-old will give Chelsea another midfield option, but it does not look like they are going to stop with him.
Are you excited by Barco’s summer arrival?
Rosenior's Strasbourg star is incoming.
Chelsea still want to sign a midfielder after Valentin Barco
Journalist Simon Phillips has reported on Si Phillips Talks Chelsea that the Club World Cup winners still want to sign another midfielder after they land Barco.
Currently, Liam Rosenior has Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Andrey Santos, Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo to call upon.
However, Fernandez has been playing as a No.10 of late and could also leave Stamford Bridge in the summer.
Fernandez is attracting strong interest from Real Madrid and other clubs. The Argentine has not shut down speculation about an exit either, hence Chelsea’s decision to suspend him for two games.
He missed the 7-0 win over Port Vale in the FA Cup quarter-finals and will also be unavailable for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Manchester City.
Chelsea’s main midfield target
Chelsea have also been linked with several other midfielders, including Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson.
However, Anderson’s England teammate Adam Wharton appears to be the Blues’ primary target for the midfield position.
Adam Wharton of England
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
According to Phillips, Wharton is at the top of Chelsea’s shortlist as they try to strengthen their midfield. Therefore, after the Conference League holders wrap up a deal for Barco, it is likely they will turn their attention to Wharton and prioritise signing him.
The Crystal Palace star would be a great addition to Rosenior’s squad. He is familiar with the Premier League, can control the tempo of games and is also capable of breaking up attacks.
If Fernandez does leave Chelsea this summer, there will definitely be room for Wharton, though his midfield profile is quite different to the World Cup winner’s.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox