By Shaffie A Mtambo
Brighton defender Valentin Barco is set to join Strasbourg in a deal worth £8m. Barco has agreed to join the French team, which shares ownership with Chelsea’s parent company, BlueCo.
The 20-year-old Argentine defender joined Brighton from Boca Juniors for £7.8m a year ago but has struggled to make an impact. He was loaned out to Sevilla in August but has only started three La Liga games this season. Despite his potential, Barco has found it challenging to break into the Brighton team.
Strasbourg has agreed to an initial loan deal for Barco, with an option to finalize the transfer for €10 million in the summer. Brighton will also retain a 10% sell-on clause. This deal allows Strasbourg to assess Barco’s performance before committing to a permanent transfer.
Barco is expected to undergo a medical examination in London on Saturday before traveling to France to join his new team on Sunday. This move marks a fresh start for the young defender, who will be looking to revive his career in the French league.
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler confirmed on Friday that Barco would not be rejoining the team, stating that the environment was not right for him at the moment. Hurzeler also mentioned that he had kept an eye on Barco’s progress during his loan spell at Sevilla.
The transfer is seen as a positive move for both Barco and Brighton. The defender will have the opportunity to gain more playing time and experience, while Brighton will receive a significant transfer fee and retain a sell-on clause.
