Chelsea agreed a six-year contract with midfielder Valentin Barco in April, and now the Argentine has posted a farewell message to Strasbourg ahead of his exit.
The Blues persuaded him to return to the Premier League after catching the eye at sister club Strasbourg following his switch from Brighton & Hove Albion in February 2025.
Predominantly a box-to-box midfielder, but also capable of playing as a wing back, Barco has produced 12 goal involvements across all competitions in 43 appearances this season.
The 21-year-old also played in 10 of their 12 Europa Conference League matches this term before being knocked out in the semi-finals by Rayo Vallecano, with the talented youngster now saying his goodbyes to the French club.
Valentin Barco posts goodbye message to Strasbourg
"Today I say goodbye to this club that I really looked forward to. In this year and a half many good times passed, including the best of our lives @yaz.jaureguy on 03/28/2025 when Gemma was born. I always left everything on the field at every game for this shirt. I want to thank my teammates who made everything easier for me, Liam and his staff for the confidence they gave me and for making me the player I am, Gary and his staff for understanding me and helping me improve, to everyone who works at the club and us they accompany and support me every day and to the fans for the love they always gave me."
"From a distance I will support them and make strength for them to always win, I am totally grateful to Strasbourg and we will be back with my family whenever we can, it is a very special place in our lives.
"Thank you very much for this year and a half, and many successes for the future"
Barco sent a personal thanks to everyone who helped him during his 15 months at the club so far, including a special mention for Liam Rosenior, who managed the 2-cap Argentine international at Strasbourg before leaving to join Chelsea in January.
Rosenior, of course, was sacked by BlueCo following a disastrous 107-day tenure in charge, with one of his former players getting himself ready to work under new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso.
Where Barco fits in at Chelsea
Shortly after Barco posted his farewell message on Instagram, Ben Jacobs confirmed that Chelsea's transfer for the player will be official by the end of the season.
🚨 Valentin Barco confirms he's leaving Strasbourg this summer. Agreement now in place with Chelsea.
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) May 18, 2026
Likely be official at the end of the season with Chelsea focused on trying to get Europe. pic.twitter.com/9vXBKz3SpB
Having assisted eight times in just 38 appearances for Rosenior at Strasbourg, Barco will arrive in West London with the backing of his former manager, though he still has a lot to prove in England's top flight.
The former Sevilla loanee only made seven senior appearances for Brighton in 2023/24 before being sold for around £7.8 million. Naturally, the youngster has made some significant development since then, and Chelsea fans will hope he can play a significant part under Alonso.
Likely to be used as one of two midfielders in the Spaniard's 3-4-2-1 system, or perhaps as a left wing-back to rival Marc Cucurella, Barco has all summer to prove why the Blues are bringing him back to England.
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