<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/xabi-alonso/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Xabi Alonso</a> was the big move for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/chelsea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chelsea</a> fans who were expecting a change after a disappointing season that included three managers. With the manager comes <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/valentin-barco/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Valentín Barco</a> from Strasbourg, according to Fabrizio Romano.



The left back originally started moving further up the field as a midfielder and became a revelation in the center of the pitch as a creative option. That change was made by <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/liam-rosenior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Liam Rosenior</a> at Strasbourg before he was hired and later fired from Chelsea.



This could be a promising signing for the future that could also be valuable in the present. While Barco, 21, did not show very much during his time at Brighton, his move to full-time midfielder could provide Alonso with youth in the most important part of the field.



<h2>Barco’s career</h2>



Barco broke through as a very talented player from the youth divisions of Boca Juniors before a contract dispute set him back. When he was able to establish himself again in the first team, it was mainly as a left-sided midfielder, which laid the groundwork for a $10 million sale to Brighton.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/05/23154232/barco-1-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-646376"><figcaption>Barco has already played for Argentina (Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



In England, he could not make a strong impact as he played just six matches. The next step was a loan to Sevilla, where he played just one more match than he did at Brighton, before being loaned to Strasbourg.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="WST#/news/enzo-fernandez-reportedly-set-to-depart-chelsea-as-the-argentine-is-targeted-by-a-premier-league-giant/"></div>


His performance there convinced the club to invest around $8 million to buy him. The switch to midfielder allowed him to use his ability on the ball without focusing too much on the defending side, which is his biggest weakness because of his slight frame. This move could also add international experience, as the player born in Veinticinco de Mayo, Buenos Aires, Argentina, has already been called up by the national team.



<h2>Chelsea-Strasbourg connection</h2>



Even if Barco has had a very good season with Strasbourg, he would probably not be bought by a club like Chelsea if he played for a different mid-level French club. It is clear that the connection between them helps facilitate the process.



The list of names that have moved from one club to the other is very long, with Rosenior’s recent hiring being the most notable besides the fact that the results were very poor for the manager.



Players like Ben Chilwell, Andrey Santos, Đorđe Petrović, Caleb Wiley, David Datro Fofana, Aarón Anselmino, Diego Moreira, Ángelo Gabriel, Mike Penders, Kendry Páez, Ishe Samuels-Smith, Mamadou Sarr, Emanuel Emegha, and Mathis Amougou have moved between the clubs in transfers or loans recently.

Xabi Alonso’s first signing for Chelsea nears as Valentín Barco reportedly joins from Strasbourg

Xabi Alonso’s first signing for Chelsea nears as Valentín Barco reportedly joins from Strasbourg - World Soccer Talk

main

Brighton is finalizing an agreement with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/boca-juniors-tv-schedule/">Boca Juniors</a> for versatile left-back Valentin Barco. The Seagulls are <a href="https://theathletic.com/5190508/2024/01/09/valentin-barco-transfer-news-brighton/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">completing the deal</a> by triggering the 19-year-old defender’s release clause of $10 million. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> side had to move fairly quickly in the transfer because the aforementioned clause was set to soon rise. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/brighton-tv-schedule-where-to-watch-the-seagulls/">Brighton</a> would have had to spend $14 million on Barco if they waited just another day.



The teen prospect was widely seen as Boca Juniors prized asset. <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.us/club-atletico-boca-juniors/startseite/verein/189">Transfermarkt</a> currently rates Barco as the club’s most valuable player, nearly $5 million more than any other former teammate. Brighton fought off interest from a plethora of English sides to sign the defender/midfielder. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/the-history-of-manchester-united-vs-manchester-city-gary-james-interview-video-20130406-CMS-52551.html">Manchester City</a>, and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/leicester-city-tv-schedule/">Leicester City</a> were all previously linked with the young Argentine.



<h2>A desired destination for youngsters</h2>



Brighton had an edge over their rivals because of various advantages. First of all, the South Coast club has solid scouting connections in South America. Brighton is a relatively new Premier League club. Still, there are currently five players from South America in the squad. This number will expand to seven once Steven Alzate (Colombia) and Jeremy Sarmiento (Ecuador) return from their loan deals.



The Seagulls also previously signed Ecuadoran midfielder Moises Caicedo back in 2021 as well. After developing the star, Brighton officials sold the dynamic player to Chelsea in a record $125 million deal this summer.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="720" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/16050855/Valentin-Barco-Boca-1200x720.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-482260" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure>



Along with having a strong presence near Barco’s country, Brighton also has a history of giving playing time to youngsters. The teen prospect would certainly have to be patient if he made a move to either Chelsea or City.



The Seagulls play an attractive style of soccer under manager Roberto De Zerbi as well. The Italian coach helped qualify his team for the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/europa-league-tv-schedule/">Europa League</a> at the end of the 2022/23 season. It was the first time that the club featured in a European competition. Brighton then advanced to the knockout round of the tournament by finishing top of their group back in December.



<h2>Valentin Barco can provide versatility for Brighton</h2>



Despite being just 19, Barco made 35 total appearances for Boca Juniors. Although typically a left back, the teen sensation can play in different positions. Barco featured in four different spots on the pitch throughout the 2023 campaign. He can play left back, left wing back, in the left side of midfield, in central midfield, and even out on the left flank.



This versatility surely caught the eye of Brighton officials. Star left-back Pervis Estupiñán is currently the only true left-back in the squad at the moment. Barco could be used as a backup to his fellow South American.



However, depending on how he settles in England, De Zerbi could also elect to play Barco further up the pitch. It remains unclear how involved the youngster will be in the current squad. Nevertheless, Brighton has lost a series of players to various injuries and could use reinforcements. Barco is going to sign a four-and-a-half-year contract with the Seagulls. The club will also have an option to extend the deal another year as well.



PHOTOS: IMAGO.

Brighton set to sign highly rated Argentine prospect

Brighton has reportedly triggered a release clause to sign highly rated versatile defender Valentin Barco from Boca Juniors.

Latest news from Valentin Barco. Find out about all the news related to Valentin Barco on worldsoccertalk.com

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Valentin Barco"

News

Xabi Alonso’s first signing for Chelsea nears as Valentín Barco reportedly joins from Strasbourg

News

Brighton set to sign highly rated Argentine prospect