Chelsea are closing in on a deal to sign Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria for an initial fee of around £16.3m (€19m), with further add-ons included. Both clubs are working through the final details of the agreement.

Replacing Cucurella

Negotiations have been under way for more than a month, with Chelsea targeting Chavarria as the direct replacement for Marc Cucurella, who departed Stamford Bridge for Real Madrid this summer.

At 28, Chavarria brings experience that Chelsea have sought to balance their youthful squad. He made 44 appearances across all competitions for Rayo Vallecano last season and started in their UEFA Conference League final, where they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Crystal Palace.

A full-back built on intensity

Chavarria arrived at Rayo Vallecano in 2022 under Andoni Iraola — a coach renowned for demanding relentless energy from his full-backs, with an emphasis on overlapping runs. Chavarria thrived in that system and has since expanded his game, growing comfortable underlapping and stepping into midfield as well as driving forward down the flank.

His three seasons alongside manager Inigo Perez have shaped him into a modern full-back capable of contributing across all phases of play. Chavarria himself has described Perez as the finest coach he has worked with.

What the numbers say

In LaLiga last season, Chavarria recorded over 2,000 touches and ranked among the top dozen players in the division for crosses from open play and corners won. His defensive output was equally notable — he placed in the same group for blocking crosses and winning possession in his own third, underlining a dual role that made him indispensable to Rayo Vallecano.

While Chavarria may not replicate the creative authority of a player like Alex Grimaldo during his celebrated spell with Bayer Leverkusen, his tireless running and ability to stretch opposition defences could prove a valuable asset for Chelsea in the season ahead.