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Chelsea## Argentina international Valentin Barco is expected to become a Chelsea player this summer after a £34m deal was agreed
11:17, 21 Jul 2026
Chelsea are still expected to press ahead with a deal to sign Strasbourg midfielder Valentin Barco this summer.
Barco was at the centre of a heated exchange with England star Jude Bellingham during the World Cup semi-final clash with Argentina last week.
The Blues have already made a busy start to the summer transfer window, with two signings already completed. Geovany Quenda and Marco Palestra have both been signed by Chelsea and there is the expectation of more to come.
News emerged back in May that Chelsea had agreed a deal to sign Barco from Strasbourg with a €40million (£34m) fee agreed between both clubs.
The Athletic have now reported that Chelsea are on the verge of announcing the signing of Barco, just days after the midfielder was involved in a heated exchange at the World Cup.
Barco was part of the Argentina squad that reached the World Cup final, but he only managed to feature for just 19 minutes across the whole tournament.
It was during the semi-final win over England that Barco was at the centre of a heated confrontation with Bellingham.
Barco, who was an unused substitute in the win over the Three Lions, ran past several England players celebrating one of Argentina’s goals.
After the final whistle, Bellingham could be seen watching Argentina players celebrating as Barco went to join his teammates.
The Real Madrid star then spotted Barco and approached the incoming Chelsea star, clipping him in the back of the head before the pair had a heated altercation, with pushing and words exchanged.
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Barco will now go on a summer break after being part of the Argentina squad that reached the World Cup final, with an announcement from Chelsea confirming his signature seemingly expected in the near future.
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The update on Barco comes as Chelsea strike a deal to sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa in a £117million move, beating Arsenal to the England international’s signature in the process.
Reports have also emerged claiming that England defender John Stones is also a target for the Blues after the 32-year-old left Manchester City as a free agent earlier this summer.
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