Chelsea face midfield transfer battle amid Romeo Lavia injury woes

Cameron Smith

7 Dec 2025 14:17 CST
3 min read

Chelsea have identified Strasbourg star Valentin Barco as a possible transfer target, but they are set to face major competition for his signature next year.

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The Argentina international has enjoyed an immense start to the 2025-26 campaign and his form under Liam Rosenior has alerted a number of top European clubs ahead of the upcoming January window.

Current ETV

Valentín Barco

M (CL), D (L)

Strasbourg

Valentín Barco

M (CL), D (L)

Strasbourg

ETV Range

€14.5M - €17.8M

Barco, who has been converted from a left-back into a central midfielder since joining Strasbourg on an initial loan deal in January, has registered five goal contributions in 13 Ligue 1 matches so far this term and only two players in the entire French top flight can better his tally of four assists.

The 21-year-old’s current deal at Strasbourg isn’t due to expire until 2029, following his permanent move from Brighton & Hove Albion for €10 million in July, but he could be set to leave the club next year.

That is according to CaughtOffside, who claim that Chelsea have earmarked him as a possible signing for next summer. However, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich are also interested in finalising a deal for Barco and it’s understood that a bidding war could take place as Strasbourg look to maximise the potential transfer fee they could earn via a sale.

Valentin Barco to join Chelsea?

Although Barco was a left-back throughout his time at Boca Juniors, Brighton and Sevilla, he is now seen as a fully-fledged central midfielder and Chelsea believe he could be a smart addition to the first-team squad at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues hierarchy are also the owners of Strasbourg and they have already agreed a deal to sign the French club’s star striker Emanuel Emegha next summer.

Barco could be set to become the latest Strasbourg star to jump ship to Chelsea, with the west London giants keen to bolster their midfield ranks amid Romeo Lavia’s continued injury problems since his arrival at the club two years ago.

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