Chelsea will hope to build on their 7-0 win over Port Vale in the FA Cup when they return to Premier League action against Manchester City on Sunday.
The Blues had lost four matches on the bounce across all competitions prior to their thumping victory over League One strugglers Port Vale on Saturday, which set up a semi-final tie against old rivals Leeds United at Wembley.
Liam Rosenior is still under pressure, though, with his side facing a battle to finish in the top four and qualify for next season’s Champions League.
In the meantime, though, it is emerging that Chelsea are closing in on the signing of a defender from the French top flight.
As per Fabrizio Romano, Strasbourg star Valentin Barco has approved a potential move to Stamford Bridge this summer, with personal terms having already been agreed.
Barco, 21, joined Ligue 1 side Strasbourg early last year on an initial loan from Brighton and Hove Albion, before making the move permanent last summer.
Barco (right) has impressed since joining Strasbourg last year (Photo: Independent Photo Agency/Alamy)
In total he has featured more than 50 times for the club, and he played an important role under Rosenior during the Englishman’s tenure in Alsace.
Romano claims that it is up to Chelsea if they wish to proceed – and if so, when – as Strasbourg are under the same ownership group.
Barco himself, who featured just seven times during his spell with Brighton, is said to be keen on the idea of a move to Stamford Bridge, but it isn’t yet clear when the Blues will proceed with a move.
The Argentina international’s contract with the Ligue 1 side is set to expire at the end of the 2028/29 campaign, but it appears that he could be on his way to London this summer.