Chelsea have been tipped to make a summer move for Brighton left-back Valentin Barco, currently on loan at BlueCo affiliate Strasbourg.
Brighton don’t usually get many transfers wrong, but the signing of Barco has so far proved a major disappointment. The 20-year-old had been hugely impressive at Boca Juniors and was being chased by several of Europe’s biggest clubs.
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Ultimately, he decided to move to the South Coast due to Brighton’s proven track record of turning talented youngsters into elite players, but the transfer hasn’t worked out, and a permanent summer exit is likely.
Barco only made seven appearances for the Seagulls after his arrival in January 2024 and was subsequently sent out on loan to LaLiga side Sevilla. However, he struggled in Andalusia as well, getting on the pitch just nine times and having his stint cut short in January.
BlueCo-owned Ligue 1 side Strasbourg took a punt on Barco as Chelsea loanee Caleb Wiley was brought back to Stamford Bridge after having to undergo shoulder surgery, and the Argentine youngster has so far managed to impress.
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Barco to end up at BlueCo this summer
Since January, Barco has made 12 appearances for the Champions League-chasing Alsatians and provided two assists. An obligation to purchase the youngster will be triggered if he meets certain conditions.
However, Argentine journalist Augusto Cesar of Radio La Red believes that Barco could end up at Chelsea this summer. “I tell you, from information, Barco is at the club that belongs to the Chelsea group. I would be attentive in June,” he insisted.
Chelsea don’t necessarily need a new left-back, considering that the aforementioned Wiley, as well as Juventus loanee Renato Veiga, are set to return to the club this summer.
A permanent move to Strasbourg seems much more sensible. That way, he won’t take up one of Chelsea’s international loan spots, while he would also be allowed to develop in a division not quite as challenging as the Premier League, where he previously struggled.
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