Xabi Alonso already has four new signings ready to join when he begins work at Chelsea but a fifth appears to be all but confirmed following a whirlwind couple of years
Xabi Alonso already has his next Chelsea signing settled as he prepares to take over at Stamford Bridge(Image: Javier Borrego/Europa Press)
Xabi Alonso hasn’t even got to work at Chelsea yet but already has a list of new signings lined up for his arrival. And a fifth could soon be unveiled as all signs suggest it’s a matter of ‘when’ and not ‘if’ the deal is announced.
In keeping with the policy of recruiting young talent under Todd Boehly’s ownership, Chelsea announced back in January 2025 that Corinthians left-back Denner would be joining on July 1 after he turns 18. They announced the future signing of Kazakh teen Dastan Satpaev the next month, followed by Sporting CP winger Geovany Quenda and finally Strasbourg forward Emmanuel Emegha.
Except Emegha almost certainly won’t be the last talent to swap Strasbourg for Stamford Bridge this summer. In fact, the arrival of left-sided specialist Valentin Barco could be made official any day now.
The Argentina prospect, who has been named in Lionel Scaloni’s squad for World Cup 2026, has already confirmed his exit from Chelsea’s sister club. Not only that but the former Brighton and Boca Juniors left-back has also received the ‘Here We Go’ treatment from Fabrizio Romano.
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“Today I say goodbye to this club,” Barco recently wrote on social media in a statement confirming his Strasbourg exit. “I always gave everything on the pitch in every game for this shirt. I want to thank my team-mates, who made everything easier for me.
“Liam Rosenior and his staff for the confidence they showed in me and for helping shape me as a player; Gary O’Neil and his staff for understanding me and helping me improve; everyone at the club who supports us every day; and the fans for the love they always gave me. Thank you, Strasbourg.”
There’s a temptation to believe any transfer movement between Chelsea and Strasbourg – or any other club under the BlueCo umbrella – is purely one of convenience. However, that’s not the case for Barco, whose time in France has brought him to the fore as a prospect of real promise.
It was reported as far back as April that the Blues have already agreed terms with Barco ahead of a summer move. That being the case, it’s unclear what obstacle has prevented the move from being announced already, though one can’t envision many hurdles between two clubs sharing ownership.
The 21-year-old arrived on French shores in January 2025 (initially on loan from Brighton) as a pure left-back. Many Chelsea fans may not think so highly of Liam Rosenior’s tactical acumen now but it was he who first spotted the properties that could turn Barco, whom Strasbourg signed for just £8million, into a midfield asset.
Good news for Marc Cucurella, who might have otherwise felt the South American was coming for his job. To that point, however, Barco’s arrival would offer a welcome back-up at left-back, too, considering Cucurella will soon enter the final two years of his contract in west London and has flirted with the exit door.
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Despite being on the slightly shorter side at around 5’6″, Barco, who is now valued at around £30m by Transfermarkt, has come to thrive in his new midfield responsibilities. He’s proved a dab hand in getting forward and fashioning opportunities for those around him, finishing this season with nine assists and three goals in all competitions.
With question marks persisting over the future of Argentina team-mate Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer, Barco is a smart failsafe at relatively low cost. The Blues could quickly lose two of their biggest creative talents this summer if recent rumours are anything to go by, so a cost-effective recruit like Barco looks sound on paper.
Then again, it’s possible the Blues envision the youngster returning to his left-back roots and providing competition for Cucurella after all. It’s an added benefit Barco can also play further up on the left flank, making him a triple threat the likes of which Alonso could come to rely on all too soon.
It’s not everyday such a versatile option presents itself, with any fee likely to come at the lowest possible cost given the BlueCo connection. As aforementioned, however, Barco is worthy of the attention and is one youthful recruit who justifies the early interest.
