Chelsea have submitted a new bid to sign Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria, according to reports, with the player having already agreed personal terms with the Premier League club. The move comes after Xabi Alonso, who is understood to be driving Chelsea's transfer push, identified the 28-year-old as the ideal replacement for Marc Cucurella, who joined Real Madrid for £51.8 million in June.
Negotiations moving forward after initial rejection
Last month, Chelsea had a €15 million (£12.8 million) offer for Chavarria rejected by Rayo Vallecano. However, according to Fabrizio Romano, negotiations between the two clubs are now 'moving forward' and Chelsea have tabled an improved bid after agreeing personal terms with the defender.
Romano said on his YouTube channel on Saturday: 'Chelsea have sent a new bid today to Rayo Vallecano for Pep Chavarria. The negotiation is ongoing, Chelsea are careful until the very end because the negotiation has been more complicated than expected with Rayo Vallecano over recent weeks.'
'But the player is pushing to go to Chelsea, the player has an agreement with Chelsea and Chelsea are quite optimistic after sending a new proposal and getting closer with Rayo to find a solution. It's not closed yet but it's getting closer.'
Chavarria's profile and release clause details
Chavarria has spent four seasons in La Liga with Rayo Vallecano after being signed from Real Zaragoza in 2023. The left-back has a €50 million (£42.7 million) release clause in his contract, but the Spanish club are reportedly willing to sell for €25 million (£21.3 million) before add-ons.
Last weekend, Chavarria was left on the bench for Rayo Vallecano's pre-season friendly defeat to Feyenoord in Rotterdam, suggesting his future lies away from the club.
Impact on Chelsea's squad
Chelsea's pursuit of Chavarria is part of a broader squad overhaul under Alonso, who has also been linked with a return for Mykhailo Mudryk. The new signing would provide cover on the left side of defence, filling the void left by Cucurella's departure.
The deal, if completed, would represent a significant investment in a player who has impressed in Spain's top flight, and Chelsea fans will be hoping Chavarria can replicate Cucurella's impact at Stamford Bridge.
