Facundo Medina has completed a €20 million move to Olympique de Marseille from RC Lens. The 26-year-old defender, who can play as a center-back or left-back, was warmly welcomed in Marseille on Tuesday by dozens of fans waiting to greet him at the airport.

Medina, who will join fellow Argentine Leonardo Balerdi in Marseille’s squad, praised the passionate fan base, calling them “the best fans in France.”

The five-year deal also brought joy to his former clubs in Argentina. Both River Plate and Talleres will benefit financially from the transfer. Talleres will receive around $1.23 million and River Plate approximately $701,000, thanks to sell-on clauses and the FIFA solidarity mechanism.

Medina leaves RC Lens after five solid seasons, where he made 165 appearances, scored eight goals, and provided ten assists. His performances in Ligue 1 were key to earning a return to Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina squad, featuring in the national team’s most recent call-ups.

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.