English Premier League
Chelsea set to sign Pep Chavarria from Rayo Vallecano in €25m deal
Chelsea are set to sign left-back Pep Chavarria from Rayo Vallecano for €25m (£21.5m), plus bonuses and performance-related add-ons, in what will become the biggest sale in the Madrid-based club’s history.
The formal announcement is expected in the coming hours, according to Spanish newspaper Sport, after the two clubs complete the final details of the agreement.
Rayo Vallecano had hoped to receive a fee closer to the €50m release clause written into Chavarria’s contract. However, negotiations have resulted in a deal worth about half that amount, with the additional bonuses and variables potentially increasing the final value.
The move represents the biggest step of Chavarria’s professional career. The 26-year-old arrives in the Premier League after producing the finest season of his career, making 44 appearances in all competitions.
He scored once during that campaign, with his goal coming in impressive fashion against Atletico de Madrid. Chavarria also supplied three assists, performances that helped establish him as one of the most prominent left-backs in La Liga.
His form attracted interest from several leading European clubs, including Bayer Leverkusen. The Spanish defender ultimately chose Chelsea, where he is expected to continue his development at one of Europe’s major clubs.
Chavarria will work in London under Spanish manager Xabi Alonso. Alonso’s preferred system uses three defenders behind attacking wing-backs, a structure that is considered well suited to Chavarria’s offensive strengths.
The player has already arrived in the English capital. At Chelsea, he will replace Marc Cucurella, who has moved to Real Madrid. Chavarria’s main competition for the left-back position will be Jorrel Hato.
The transfer will bring to an end Chavarria’s time at Rayo Vallecano, where he became an important part of the side after progressing through several clubs in Spain.
His career has included spells with Figueres, Olot and Real Zaragoza before he joined Rayo Vallecano. The move to Chelsea now gives him the opportunity to test himself in the Premier League and take on the biggest challenge of his career.
For Rayo Vallecano, the agreement is also significant financially. Although the club will not receive the full €50m release clause, the €25m guaranteed fee, combined with the potential bonuses and add-ons, will make Chavarria’s departure the largest sale in the history of the Madrid club.
The remaining formalities between Chelsea and Rayo Vallecano are expected to be completed shortly, paving the way for the official confirmation of the transfer.
