**Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria, according to reports in the Spanish media.**
[_Marca_](https://www.marca.com/futbol/rayo/2026/08/02/pep-chavarria-chelsea-25-millones-euros.html) claim that the move is expected to be “made official in the next few hours” once some of the final details are ironed out.
The Blues are expected to pay €25m (£21.4m) plus add-ons for [**Chavarria**](https://chelseanews.com/blog/chelsea-transfer-news-pep-chavarria-5-things-to-know/), who manager Xabi Alonso had pinpointed to strengthen the left flank.
It is a position that needed strengthening following the sale of Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid earlier this summer.
Rayo have made a dramatic climbdown on Chavarria’s valuation
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Chelsea have made more than one bid for the 28-year-old, but his club were holding out for his release clause, which was worth €50m (£43m).
However, it appears that Rayo president Raul Martin Presa has ultimately decided to offload Chararria for just over half that amount.
It will still be the biggest sale in the club’s history, but Alonso will be very pleased that the Blues have managed to get this deal over the line for a reasonable fee.
Will Chavarria be a regular starter for Chelsea?
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Alonso has used a back four in the first two friendlies against Western Sydney Wanderers and Tottenham. That is likely to be good news for Chavarria, as while he does have some experience playing as wingback, the vast majority of his senior matches have been as a conventional fullback.
The Spaniard will of course face stiff competition for starting opportunities. As things stand, Jorrel Hato is set to be his main rival for a place in the first eleven.
However, if Alonso does switch to his favoured five-man backline at any stage, Chavarria will also have to contend with the likes of Geovany Quenda and, potentially, Valentin Barco if the Argentinian international does eventually end up signing from Strasbourg.