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Football Today

4 August 2026

Football Today

4 August 2026

Chelsea are on the brink of completing the signing of Pep Chavarria after making major headway in negotiations with Rayo Vallecano.

The Blues have been chasing the Spanish defender for a number of weeks and are now nearing a full agreement with the La Liga side.

As per The Athletic, Chavarria has already settled personal terms with Chelsea, with the two clubs now left to iron out the final aspects of the transfer.

Once that process is completed, the 28-year-old is expected to have his medical before becoming the latest addition to Xabi Alonso’s squad.

Chelsea have made the signing of a left-back a priority since Marc Cucurella joined Real Madrid earlier this summer.

That exit left Jorrel Hato as the club’s only senior natural option on the left side of defence. Academy youngster Landon Emenalo has also been used there during pre-season.

While Chelsea considered several other options during the transfer window, Chavarria has consistently been regarded internally as their first-choice solution.

The Spaniard has caught the eye in La Liga over the last four seasons after joining Vallecano from Real Zaragoza in 2022.

He played a key part in their run to the Europa Conference League final last season, where they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.

His displays underlined the defensive reliability and attacking intensity that Chelsea believe can add strength to Alonso’s tactical setup.

Chavarria has made more than 120 appearances for Vallecano and remains under contract until 2030, with his current deal said to include a €50 million release clause.

Chelsea have been in direct talks with the Spanish club and are expected to land the defender for a significantly lower fee.

The deal is part of another active transfer window at Stamford Bridge.

Morgan Rogers, Danny Welbeck, Maxence Lacroix, Jordan Henderson and Marco Palestra have already joined the club.

Geovany Quenda, Denner, Dastan Satpaev and Emmanuel Emegha had earlier been secured as part of the club’s long-term recruitment plan.

With pre-season moving into its final phase, Chelsea are keen to wrap up Chavarria’s arrival as soon as possible.

The expectation is that the Spaniard will offer immediate competition on the left flank while also helping to guide younger defenders progressing through the club’s academy.