Chelsea’s pursuit of Valentín Barco has been building steadily in recent weeks, and the latest update suggests the club are now at the finish line.

After failing to land the midfielder in January, the Blues kept pushing. Reports earlier this month indicated they were advancing in talks with Strasbourg, with confidence growing around a summer move.

However, there was still caution. Sources close to the situation insisted a final agreement had not yet been reached.

That gap may now have closed.

Agreement reached as Chelsea move decisively

Spanish journalist Andrés Onrubia Ramos now reports that Valentín Barco will play for Chelsea, with a full agreement in place.

According to him, the 21-year-old has agreed a six-year contract with the Blues. Argentine outlet La Gaceta, however, report slightly different terms – they claim the midfielder is set to sign a five-year contract running until June 2031.

Transfer fee details remain unclear at this stage. Still, it is expected to be significantly higher than the fee Strasbourg paid Brighton, around £8m (€9.4m) last summer.

Either way, the deal follows a strong transfer push from Chelsea after the international break, building on the groundwork laid earlier in the process.

Liam Rosenior’s...