Strasbourg Nears £17m Signing of Brighton’s Julio Enciso Linked to Chelsea

Julio Enciso, the 21-year-old Paraguay international, is set to move from Brighton & Hove Albion to Strasbourg in a deal reportedly worth £17.3 million, with plans for him to join Chelsea after a year in France. The transfer is facilitated by BlueCo, the ownership group of both Chelsea and Strasbourg, reflecting their multi-club strategy and close operational ties, including multiple player loans between the two clubs. Enciso spent the latter half of last season on loan at Ipswich Town, where he scored two goals and provided three assists, but was left out of Brighton's squad for the new season. While Strasbourg reignited their interest after failing to secure him earlier in the year, other clubs like Palmeiras and Serie A teams were also reportedly interested. The deal includes a sell-on clause benefiting Brighton, and has sparked debate among fans about the ethics and implications of investment groups controlling player transfers across multiple clubs. This transfer represents one of the most significant moves since BlueCo's acquisition of Chelsea and Strasbourg.