Image source: Valentin Barco/Instagram
Chelsea are moving swiftly to reinforce their squad in the transfer market, with Argentina international Valentin Barco the latest confirmed arrival at Stamford Bridge.
Australian fans have had a close up look at what new manager Xabi Alonso is building across two pre-season clashes in Sydney this week as business has been conducted behind the scenes to add to an inexperienced group.
Barco, who was part of the Argentina squad who reached the World Cup Final, has signed a long-term deal until 2033, joining from sister club Strasbourg in France.
According to Transfermarkt, the Premier League side have paid €40m (A$66m) to sign him.
A versatile player, who can be deployed as a central midfielder but also at left-back, the 22-year-old already has Premier League experience, having played six matches for Brighton and Hove Albion in the 2023/24 campaign, before heading to Ligue 1.
He joins a growing list of signings at Chelsea in this window, alongside Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Marco palestra, Geovany Quenda, Emmanuel Emegha, Dastan Satpayev and Danny Welbeck, whose arrival was also announced this week.
Experienced striker Welbeck joined on a two-year deal from fellow English Premier League club Brighton.
The 35-year-old scored 14 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions for Brighton last term and will join Xabi Alonso’s squad on the club’s pre-season tour.
“I’m really honoured to come to a club of this stature at what feels like a really exciting time. I know a few of the boys already and I’ve had fantastic conversations with the manager and already feel that connection,” Welbeck said in a statement.
“I’ve got that fire in my belly and I’m ready to give it everything for this club to make everyone at Chelsea, and the supporters, proud.”
The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward arrives at Stamford Bridge with 400 Premier League appearances to his name.
He joined Arsenal in 2014, scoring 32 goals in 126 appearances across all competitions during a five-year spell before a season at Watford and moving to Brighton in 2020.
Welbeck scored 16 goals for England during an international career spanning eight years.
Chelsea do not appear to be done yet either, with reports suggesting England international Jordan Henderson could be the next to sign.
Henderson is available for free after departing Brentford and the former Liverpool captain would bring much needed experience to Alonso’s squad.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has also reported overnight that the Blues have improved their bid for Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria, with negotiations moving forward.
*Additional reporting by Reuters
Jake Rosengarten has worked for and led the biggest brands in Australian football. Beginning at Fox Sports Football as a digital producer, he moved on to build Optus Sport’s articles section, before leading the growth of the A-Leagues’ social and editorial footprint. Jake has covered World Cups, male and female, the Premier League, UEFA competitions and the A-Leagues, and is passionate about growing the game he fell in love with in his teens thanks to the influence of mates growing up in Sydney.