Pep Chavarria is set to become Chelsea's latest recruit after the club finalised a £21.4m (€25m) agreement with Rayo Vallecano, according to Spanish newspaper Marca. The left-back is already in England and is expected to put pen to paper on a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge.
Chavarria established himself as one of La Liga's most sought-after wing-backs last season, making 44 appearances in all competitions and registering a goal and three assists. The 28-year-old had been placed at the top of Chelsea's shortlist after his profile was deemed perfectly suited to head coach Xabi Alonso's preferred 3-4-3 system.
Deal worth £21.4m plus bonuses
The two clubs have shaken hands on a €25m (£21.4m) deal, plus bonuses, which will represent the most expensive sale in Rayo Vallecano's history. An official announcement is expected 'in the coming hours' once the final details are ironed out. Rayo had initially held out for a higher fee, with Chavarria's release clause set at €50m (£42.8m), but relaxed their demands to allow the move.
Bayer Leverkusen had also expressed strong interest in the Spaniard, but Chavarria favoured a Premier League move, where he will get the chance to work under fellow countryman Alonso. Chelsea were forced into the market for a left-back after Marc Cucurella joined Real Madrid in a £51.8m switch earlier this summer.
Busy window at Chelsea
Chavarria's current deal with Rayo Vallecano was not due to expire until June 2030. Personal terms have already been agreed with the player's camp.
The signing continues a busy start to the transfer window for Chelsea, who have also secured deals for Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palestra and Danny Welbeck. Geovany Quenda has also joined up with Alonso's first-team squad for the new season after Chelsea reached an agreement with Sporting back in March.
Alonso on transfer speculation
Speaking after the side's recent pre-season clash with Western Sydney Wanderers, Alonso acknowledged the ongoing speculation around the club.
"I'm sure that from today to the last day of the transfer window there will be a lot of links, a lot of rumours, so to be commenting on all of them, it's going to be a hard task," Alonso said. "But for sure, we need proper balance in terms of qualities, in terms of positions, in terms of balance. We want to have a complete squad and we want to make a good team."
