Chelsea have reportedly added to their Argentine contingent with the signing of Valentin Barco, but the Blues aren’t done there. They now want another Argentine talent, in Tomas Aranda.
Barco is set to swap clubs within the BlueCo sphere, leaving Strasbourg for Chelsea. Fabrizio Romano reports that the versatile midfielder is on his way to Stamford Bridge at the end of the 25-26 season.
Chelsea already boast Alejandro Garnacho and Enzo Fernandez, while Aaron Anselmino is on loan at Barco’s Strasbourg. Then there is Barco, who takes that contingent to four. There could be a fifth, too.
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Chelsea have reportedly agreed a deal for Barco.
Boca Juniors wonderkid Tomas Aranda has emerged as a target for both Chelsea and Manchester United after his breakthrough form in Boca’s side. He has played 11 times for Boca since coming into the team.
Lionel Scaloni impressed by Tomas Aranda after Argentina session
As most nations often do during an international training camp, some Argentine youngsters were called into Scaloni’s first team as the World Cup winners prepared for friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia.
Aranda’s form at La Bombonera had earned him a U20 call-up in March, but he was one of the talents included by Scaloni in senior training, alongside Lionel Messi and Chelsea midfielder Fernandez.
Boca Juniors v Instituto - Torneo Apertura 2026
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Quoted by Marca last month, Scaloni was asked about Aranda and he admitted he had been impressed by the 18-year-old playmaker. Diminutive in stature, Aranda impressed Scaloni with his one-on-one work.
“We have to give him time, but he has drive and confidence; he’s a talent who stands out in one-on-one situations. Very interesting player,” Scaloni said, who will be looking to retain the World Cup trophy.
What Tomas Aranda said about training with idol Lionel Messi
Of course, there is a long way to go for Aranda. This is a player just coming through at Boca, and he’s only just getting started. But it is easy to make comparisons with Messi, given the similarity in physicality.
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Champions League qualification or FA Cup trophy for Chelsea
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Small, an attacking midfielder, creative, and an eye for goal. Aranda discussed training alongside his idol Messi for Argentina, admitting he was awestruck just to be on the same pitch as Messi and Paredes.
“I couldn’t believe it. When I played with them, I’d imagine plays in my head. It’s crazy. They’re my idols. He makes the difficult look easy. Later, I’d replay the plays in my head and say, ‘How does he do that?'”
Clearly, Aranda has enormous potential, enough to be trusted to be given a go in senior Argentina training. Argentina caps are on the horizon, and so could a move to England, if he plays his cards right.
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