Chelsea are set to sign Strasbourg Midfielder Valentin Barco, according to reports in Argentina.
Barco spent the second half of last season on loan at Strasbourg before the Ligue 1 side agreed a permanent deal Brighton for €10m (£8.7m) last summer.
The 21-year-old was one of Strasbourgoutstanding performer of this season and he is now on the verge of a return to Premier League.
TyC Sports reports that Chelsea are in talks to sign Barco, but a final deal has yet to be reached.
Strasbourg and Chelsea are both part of the ownership of BlueCo, meaning that negotiations between the two clubs will be straightforward.
Argentina’s ESPN Augustus Caesar also reports that Bayern Munich were interested in a deal for Barco, but the midfielder will now join Chelsea in June.
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Barco came through Boca Juniors’ academy in Argentina ahead of his £7.8m move to Brighton in 2024.
The midfielder is also gunning for a place in Argentina’s World Cup squad and scored his first goal for the national team in their 5-0 friendly win against Zambia on Wednesday.
Barco also played under Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior during their time together in Strasbourg.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have already agreed a deal to sign Strasbourg striker Emmanuel Emegha, who will make the move to Stamford Bridge this summer.
The 23-year-old has scored 30 goals in 71 appearances for the French club.
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