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  "path": "/2026/05/23/chelsea-agree-deal-make-first-signing-xabi-alonso-era-28488125/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-23T07:19:57.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "Football",
    "Sport",
    "Chelsea FC",
    "Chelsea transfer news",
    "Premier League",
    "Transfer News and Rumours",
    "Xabi Alonso",
    "Chelsea",
    "Alonso has signed a four-year deal in west London",
    "Strasbourg",
    "Brighton",
    "who is regarded as one of his country’s brightest young talents",
    "Sign up now",
    "Fabrizio Romano",
    "Liam Rosenior",
    "Geovany Quenda",
    "Sunderland",
    "Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source"
  ],
  "textContent": "Alonso faces a busy summer at Chelsea (Picture: Getty)\n\nChelsea have agreed a deal to sign Argentine sensation Valentin Barco who will become the first signing of the Xabi Alonso era at Stamford Bridge.\n\nAlonso has signed a four-year deal in west London and will officially begin duties in July with the Blues facing a huge summer after a desperately poor 2025-26 season.\n\nBarco joined BlueCo-owned Strasbourg on a permanent deal for a fee of €10million (£8.7m) last summer following an initial loan move from Brighton.\n\nThe 21-year-old, who is regarded as one of his country’s brightest young talents, struggled to make an impact at the Seagulls but swiftly took to life in French football.\n\n##  Love football?\n\nOur seven-day guide to the World Cup is live. 48 teams, 104 games, 1104 players – we've got everything you need to know. Sign up now.\n\nLast week, Barco announced he would be leaving Strasbourg with Fabrizio Romano now reporting Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign the versatile left-back who can also play in midfield.\n\nThe Argentina agreed personal terms with the Premier League side ‘a few weeks ago’ with the move now ready to go through.\n\nIn a statement on social media last week, Barco said: ‘Today I say goodbye to this club. I always gave everything on the pitch in every game for this shirt.\n\nBarco will arrive in west London next month (Picture: Getty)\n\n‘I want to thank my team-mates, who made everything easier for me; Liam Rosenior and his staff for the confidence they showed in me and for helping shape me as a player; Gary O’Neil and his staff for understanding me and helping me improve; everyone at the club who supports us every day; and the fans for the love they always gave me. Thank you, Strasbourg.’\n\nBarco will be one of four new faces to arrive in July with a number of pre-agreed moves ready.\n\nEmanuel Emegha will also arrive from Strasbourg while Sporting CP star Geovany Quenda will join in a £40million deal. 17-year-old Dastan Satpaev will also arrive from Kairat.\n\nCalum McFarlane, who was parachuted in as interim boss following Liam Rosenior’s dismissal, will take change of his final game this weekend as Chelsea close out their season away to Sunderland.\n\nChelsea are sat in eighth place heading into the weekend with Champions League football out of their reach.\n\nBut they are still in contention for Europa League qualification if results elsewhere go their way.\n\nComment now Comments \nAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source\n",
  "title": "Chelsea agree deal to make their first signing of the Xabi Alonso era"
}