Chelsea are in advanced talks to sign Pep Chavarria having made an offer to sign the Rayo Vallecano left-back, eSPORTY understands.
According to Spanish sources, the Blues are closing in on completing a deal worth around £21.5million – his release clause figure.
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The bid has not activated the clause, but it is close to the required fee, with negotiations entering the latter stages.
Pep in their step
Chavarria is likely to be the replacement for Marc Cucurella, who left to join Real Madrid earlier in the transfer window.
Cucurella officially departed Stamford Bridge in June, signing a six-year deal with Real after a fee rising to £51.8m was agreed.
That left Chelsea with just natural centre-back Jorrel Hato as a left-back, with the west London outfit needing to act fast and find some cover.
And it appears Chavarria is their man, with rumours regarding a potential approach for him arising two weeks ago.
Hato could still feature at left-back under new boss Xabi Alonso, but Chavarria will reinforce the depth in that area.
The 28-year-old made 44 appearances for Rayo Vallecano in the 2025/26 season, scoring one goal and providing three assists.
Of those 44 outings, he played eight times in the Conference League, as his side were beaten by Crystal Palace in the final.
Chavarria is known to be more of an attacking full-back, boasting an impressive technical ability and work ethic, similar to Cucurella.
And that could appeal to manager Alonso, who enjoyed success working with wing-backs while at Bayer Leverkusen.
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Alonso’s summer business continues
New Chelsea boss Alonso has already welcomed a full-back signing into his squad, bringing in Marco Palestra.
Right-back Palestra joined the club from Atalanta for £47m, signing a six-year deal with the Blues.
It means that new faces have arrived on both sides of the defence, with the Italian challenging Reece James and Malo Gusto.
Meanwhile, on the left, it may end up being Chavarria and Hato.
Geovany Quenda is another summer arrival for Chelsea, as his pre-agreed move from Sporting Lisbon was completed.
Quenda is a winger but can also play at left wing-back, so he could be a contender to replace Cucurella too.
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Other arrivals are set to follow this summer as Alonso adds to his squad, with Maxence Lacroix heavily linked.
eSPORTY understands that the Blues are willing to offer a fringe player as part of a deal for Crystal Palace’s Lacroix.
Palace are yet to receive any formal offer for him though.
As for further departures, Alejandro Garnacho is one star who could be leaving, as he has been made available for sale.
Chelsea are understood to want £42.5m for the Argentina forward.
