Barcelona target BlueCo star after Chelsea transfer plan confirmed

Robin Bairner

1 Nov 2025 11:06 GMT
4 min read

Joaquin Panichelli, Chelsea, Strasbourg, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Barcelona have joined Chelsea in the race to sign red-hot Strasbourg striker Joaquin Panichelli.

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The Argentine striker has emerged this season at the BlueCo-owned club to become the leading scorer in Ligue 1 through the opening 10 matches of the season – despite not even being Strasbourg’s first-choice striker.

An injury to Emanuel Emegha has opened the door to Panichelli playing regularly, and the 23-year-old has grasped the opportunity greedily. He has 10 goals in 13 matches across all competitions, including a spectacular bicycle kick against Jagiellonia in the Conference League.

Current ETV

Joaquín Panichelli

F (C)

Strasbourg

Joaquín Panichelli

F (C)

Strasbourg

ETV Range

€7.9M - €10.7M

Plucked from Segunda Division side Alaves in the summer after a prolific campaign in Spain’s second tier on loan at Mirandes, Panichelli has far exceeded expectations with the Stade de la Meinau outfit.

Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenior commented: “Joaquin is a top player. We've done quite a bit of work with him during the pre-season to try to make him run less. He has channelled his game into decisive positioning. I'm very happy to have him.”

Just how long Strasbourg can hold the striker is questionable, with Mundo Deportivo reporting that Barcelona have taken an interest in the forward.

© IMAGO - Joaquin Panichelli, Strasbourg

Barca are looking at low-cost but potentially high-return forwards to take up the mantle of Robert Lewandowski, who appears likely to leave next summer. Levante forward Karl Etta Eyong is one of their targets, with Panichelli another possibility after a similarly impressive rise.

But the Blaugrana face significant competition for the hitman, with Chelsea naturally keeping a close eye on a player who is at their sister club.

Strasbourg push back against Chelsea deal: We're not a feeder club!

Strasbourg are resistant to sending too many players to Stamford Bridge every season. With Emegha set to move to West London next summer, president Marc Keller has told Le Figaro that he does not want to see another star make the jump.

“I can understand the questions and reservations, but we’re really trying to work intelligently, to optimise things,” Keller said. “People have said we’re a feeder club. That’s not the right term.

"A feeder club would mean that there are 10 Strasbourg players who, every year, can go to Chelsea, which isn’t true. One every year, like Emegha, yes, I hope so. In England, they say ‘sister club.’ I would say we’re brother clubs.

"That is to say, we try to help each other within the same family. I don’t see it in a negative way. On the contrary, our owners are very motivated for Racing. Chelsea is a global brand, and RCSA is an important club in France. The idea isn’t to abandon one club for another.”

Panichelli’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) sits at €9.3m, yet if his hot scoring streak continues, that will naturally rise significantly in the months ahead.

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