Chelsea’s summer recruitment drive is picking up pace with Argentina’s World Cup badboy Valentin Barco set to become the latest addition.
Xabi Alonso is keen to overhaul a squad that ended up failing to qualify for Europe following another chaotic campaign which saw Enzo Maresca depart in January and his replacement, Liam Rosenior, last less than four months in the hotseat.
The Blues smashed the British transfer record last week, beating rivals Arsenal to the signing of Morgan Rogers after agreeing to pay Aston Villa £117million.
A significant portion of that outlay will be offset by the departure of Alejandro Garnacho who will move in the opposite direction, initially on loan but with an obligation to buy clause, at a cost of £50m after just one, solitary underwhelming season west London.
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Chelsea are also likely to welcome Geovany Quenda, the exciting Portuguese teenager, into their first team squad after he spent last season back on loan with Sporting Lisbon, while right-back Marco Palestra has joined from Atalanta.
Strengthening in defence will represent a priority for Alonso given Chelsea’s struggles at the back last term when they were left short by the serious knee injury sustained by Levi Colwill.
The England international is likely to form a central part of Alonso’s plans and he could well benefit from the presence of Maxence Lacroix who appears increasingly likely to join from Crystal Palace.
Alonso is also keen to recruit a left-sided defender in light of Marc Cucurella’s move to Real Madrid.
The Spain World Cup winner is among a clutch of players who have moved from Brighton to Chelsea over the last few years and his replacement also has links to the south coast club.
Barco joined Brighton from Boca Juniors two years ago but only made six Premier League appearances for the club before moving to Strasbourg.
After 18 months with the Ligue 1 club, the 22-year-old is on the move again with Fabrizio Romano reporting that all documents are signed and the combative defender will be a Chelsea player within a matter of days.
Barco will, however, need to steel himself for a hostile reception from opposition fans given the role he played in England’s World Cup downfall.
After Enzo Fernandez scored the goal that brought his team level in a fractious semi-final, Barco, a non-playing substitute, ran onto the pitch and goaded a number of Three Lions players, including Jude Bellingham.
After Lautaro Martinez headed a late winner, Bellingham made a beeline for Barco and slapped the soon-to-be Chelsea player and gesticulated angrily in his face.