Chelsea are reportedly ready to battle European giants in their pursuit of 21-year-old Argentine sensation Valentin Barco.
Chelsea are always on the lookout for young players with massive potential, and they seem to have spotted another South American gem in Valentin Barco, who is currently playing for their sister club, RC Strasbourg.
The Blues are plotting a raid on the French club to sign the 21-year-old, and according to a report from Caught Offside, the West London club are set to battle Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich in their pursuit of the Argentine international.
Valentin Barco initially joined RC Strasbourg on loan for the second half of last season from Brighton & Hove Albion. His impressive performances forced them to make the move permanent. The 21-year-old has established himself as one of the mainstays at the French club in no time. He has been involved in 18 matches this term, and he has even contributed towards five goals.
While he prefers playing as a central midfielder, the youngster is capable enough to feature in any role in midfield. Since he started out as a left-back, he can even chip in at the back when needed. His massive potential and maturity are major reasons why some of the biggest clubs are after his signature.
Chelsea are keen on signing Valentin Barco
Thanks to his sensational rise, Chelsea have placed Valentin Barco quite high on their wishlist after having considered a move last summer. The Blues would love to snap him up from their sister club, and they certainly have a massive advantage over rival clubs.
While the West London club continues to monitor him, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid have also been keeping tabs on the youngster. With his contract at the Ligue 1 club running until 2029, they are in no rush to negotiate his departure and will demand a fortune to let him leave.
Chelsea will face stiff competition
The 21-year-old might prefer joining Bayern Munich or Atletico Madrid over Chelsea, as Enzo Maresca already has a stacked midfield at the West London club, and might not be able to guarantee him a prominent role. Despite being relatively young, he is already considered one of the best players in Ligue 1, and the interest in his signature is quite understandable.
