January 31st 2025.
Recent reports suggest that Brighton defender Valentin Barco will soon be joining French side Strasbourg. The 20-year-old had signed with the Seagulls for a hefty $10 million fee from Boca Juniors just a year ago. At that time, big Premier League clubs like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea were also eyeing the young talent.
Unfortunately, Barco's time at Brighton has not been smooth sailing. He struggled to make an impact and was eventually loaned out to Sevilla in August last year. However, his stint in Spain has also been met with limited playing time, having only started in three La Liga games this season. As a result, Sevilla has been looking to return him to Brighton.
But according to Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Barco has now agreed to join Strasbourg, which is owned by the same group as Chelsea. It's believed that an initial loan deal has been agreed upon, with Strasbourg paying €10 million for a permanent transfer in the upcoming summer window. Brighton has also secured a 10% sell-on clause in case Barco is transferred again.
The left-back is expected to undergo a medical in London on Saturday before making his way to France on Sunday to join his new team. Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler confirmed on Friday that Barco would not be returning to his side, stating that it's not the right environment for him at the moment.
When asked if he has been keeping tabs on Barco's progress at Sevilla, Hurzeler responded positively. He added that Brighton has loan managers who are responsible for monitoring the development of their loaned players, and it's also part of his job to follow their progress. Having worked with Barco during the pre-season, Hurzeler has built a relationship with the young defender and is keen to see him succeed.
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