Valentín “Colo” Barco will remain in France after Racing Club de Strasbourg exercised the €10 million purchase option to sign the Argentine left-footed talent on a long-term deal through June 2029.
After struggling to find minutes at Brighton and during a brief loan at Sevilla, Barco found his form in Strasbourg under manager Liam Rosenior. The French side impressed in Ligue 1, finishing seventh and qualifying for the UEFA Conference League — or potentially the Europa League if Lyon’s relegation is confirmed.
The 20-year-old Argentine shined in his role as a left-sided central midfielder, the same position he thrived in during his Boca Juniors days under Jorge Almirón. His resurgence earned him a return to the Argentina national team, receiving a call-up for the June 2025 qualifiers against Chile and Colombia.
In just 16 appearances, Barco convinced Strasbourg’s coaching staff and board to invest in his future. The club’s decision was supported by a record-breaking sale of Habib Diarra to Sunderland for €31.5 million, giving Strasbourg financial room to secure Barco’s transfer.
