Valentin Barco said goodbye to Racing de Estrasburgo after the end of the Ligue 1 season, posting an Instagram farewell on Sunday night following his final match against Monaco.
Barco’s message was part gratitude, part sign-off from a player who leaves Strasbourg with significant minutes: he made 58 appearances for Racing de Estrasburgo, scored three goals and supplied either nine or 11 assists depending on the source. He also played a key role in the club’s run to the Conference League semifinals this year and was part of the squad that became a meaningful chapter in his young career after arriving on loan from Brighton in 2023 and later having his transfer rights bought for 10 million euros.
In Spanish, Barco addressed supporters and staff directly: "Hoy me toca despedirme de este club al que llegué con mucha ilusión." He thanked teammates and coaches by name and role: "Quiero agradecerles a mis compañeros que me hicieron todo más fácil, a Liam (Rosenior) y su staff por la confianza que me dieron y por hacerme el jugador que soy." He also added, "A Gary (O’Neil) y su staff por entenderme y ayudarme a mejorar," and closed with a personal note about family and gratitude: "A la distancia voy a apoyarlos y hacer fuerza para que ganen siempre, estoy totalmente agradecido a Strasbourg y vamos a volver con mi familia siempre que podamos, es un lugar muy especial en nuestras vidas." He finished, "Muchas gracias por este año y medio."
The farewell came as multiple reports said Barco is expected to join Chelsea, with one account saying talks between his representatives and the London club were still ongoing and another saying a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge is expected. Reports also suggested he would reunite at Chelsea with Emmanuel Emegha and Mamadou Sarr. Chelsea has announced Xabi Alonso as its new head coach for the 2025-26 season, with Alonso due to begin work on 1 July, and the transfer is expected to be made official in the coming days. Round Time News has covered the negotiations: Chelsea Valentin Barco Transfer: Strasbourg full-back says goodbye as move nears —
The timeline of Barco’s stay at Strasbourg is compact: he spent one year and a half at the club after joining on loan from Brighton following a brief spell at Sevilla in 2023. Across those 18 months he delivered consistent minutes, the statistical page showing 58 matches and three goals, while assist totals differ by source — listed as nine in one place and 11 in another — a small but notable discrepancy in how his creative output is being recorded.
That discrepancy is one of several frictions around this exit. Media accounts are unanimous that a move to Chelsea is expected, but they diverge on details: one report says discussions are still underway, another presents a near-complete deal including a six-year contract. The differing assist totals underscore how narratives harden while basic facts remain unsettled, and Barco’s public goodbyes do not settle the contractual questions that matter to his next employer or to fans awaiting official confirmation.
There is also a national-team angle that sharpens the stakes. Barco, 21, said in his message that the year and a half at Strasbourg produced important personal moments — including the birth of his daughter, Gemma, on 28/03/2025 — and he now waits to learn whether Lionel Scaloni will include him in the final 26-player Argentina squad for the 2026 World Cup. That selection will land while Chelsea’s new coach is assembling his squad and while the reported transfer moves toward completion, meaning Barco’s club future and international prospects are colliding in real time.
The single most consequential unanswered question after Barco’s farewell is whether his move to Chelsea will be finalized in the coming days or whether lingering negotiations will delay the transfer — and if the deal closes, whether that change of club will help secure him a place in Scaloni’s 26-player plan for the 2026 World Cup.
