UMVA has learned that Chelsea is set to make a splash in the transfer market with the signing of Argentine sensation Valentin Barco, marking a major coup for new boss Xabi Alonso.
The deal, which has been agreed upon, will bring the 21-year-old versatile left-back to Stamford Bridge next month, with Barco having impressed at Strasbourg, a club owned by Chelsea's parent company BlueCo. He struggled to make an impact at Brighton, but swiftly took to life in French football.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Alonso has been keen to bring Barco to Chelsea, with the player agreeing personal terms with the Premier League side several weeks ago. The move is now ready to go through, and Barco will become Alonso's first signing at Chelsea.
Barco's arrival is set to be followed by three more new faces in July, with Emanuel Emegha also joining from Strasbourg, while Sporting CP star Geovany Quenda will join in a £40million deal. 17-year-old Dastan Satpaev will also arrive from Kairat, as Chelsea look to revamp their squad.
Alonso, who has signed a four-year deal at Chelsea, will officially begin duties in July, with the Blues facing a huge summer after a desperately poor 2025-26 season. The team is currently sat in eighth place, but still in contention for Europa League qualification if results elsewhere go their way.
As Chelsea closes out their season away to Sunderland, interim boss Calum McFarlane will take charge of his final game, before Alonso takes the reins. The stage is set for a busy summer at Stamford Bridge, with Barco's signing just the beginning.
