Chelsea announce Valentin Barco transfer as Xabi Alonso plots next deal

Chelsea have finally confirmed the arrival of Argentina international Valentin Barco from sister club Strasbourg on a deal until the summer of 2033

Chelsea have announced the signing of Valentin Barco from Strasbourg for an undisclosed fee.

The 22-year-old has penned a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge and becomes the club's ninth arrival of the transfer window. Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palestra, Geovany Quenda, Emmanuel Emegha, Denner, Danny Welbeck and Dastan Satpaev are the others that have joined the Blues this summer.

Barco is expected to team up with Xabi Alonso's squad later in pre-season following Argentina's run to the World Cup final last month. Despite being part of Lionel Scaloni's side at the North America tournament, he played just 19 minutes, coming on as a second-half substitute in a group stage win against Jordan.

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He was infamously involved in an altercation with England midfielder Jude Bellingham during his side's semi-final win against the Three Lions. Barco clashed with Bellingham, 23, after running on to the pitch to celebrate his now Chelsea teammate Enzo Fernandez's equaliser at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Fernandez is one of a number of players Barco will be familiar with when he joins his new Chelsea teammates. He played alongside Danny Welbeck at Brighton, Aaron Anselmino at Boca Juniors and Strasbourg, as well as Emegha, David Datro Fofana and Mike Penders at Strasbourg.

Barco joined Strasbourg after a disappointing spell at Brighton. After arriving at the Ligue 1 side as a left-back, he was converted into a central midfielder by former manager Liam Rosenior, who endured a torrid stint as Chelsea head coach in the second half of last season.

He is poised to be utilised in the middle of the park by Alonso next season, although there has been talk he could be sent out on loan if the Blues succeed in their pursuit of bringing Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott to west London.

Barco is expected to be the first of two midfield additions in the coming days, with Jordan Henderson on his way to the Blues from Brentford. The 36-year-old former Liverpool captain is set to sign a two-year deal to add some much-needed experience to Alonso's side ahead of the new Premier League season.

Chelsea are also thought to be keen on Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria. The Blues are on the hunt for a replacement for Marc Cucurella who joined Real Madrid and Chavarria, 28, fits the bill.

Chelsea lost 2-1 to Tottenham in their second pre-season fixture on Saturday and are now set to travel to Hong Kong to face Juventus on Wednesday.