Chelsea Football Club has secured the signing of Argentina international Valentin Barco from Strasbourg, agreeing to a seven-year contract. The 22-year-old versatile player, capable of operating both in midfield and at left-back, joined the Premier League side as the seventh addition under new manager Xabi Alonso.

Barco, who featured seven times for Brighton & Hove Albion during the 2023-24 season, was part of Argentina’s squad that finished as runners-up at the recent FIFA World Cup. He notably engaged in a post-match exchange with England midfielder Jude Bellingham following the semi-final clash in Atlanta.

This transfer continues a busy summer recruitment drive for Chelsea, with Alonso expanding his squad by also signing striker Danny Welbeck from Brighton and defender Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace within the past week. The club is clearly focused on strengthening its roster ahead of the upcoming campaign under Alonso’s leadership.