Chelsea's next signing confirmed after €25m transfer agreement

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Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Chelsea have reached a full agreement with Rayo Vallecano to sign Pep Chavarria for €25 million, according to reports in Spain.

The 28-year-old was earmarked as a priority transfer target by new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso and a deal has reportedly been struck following weeks of lengthy negotiations between all parties.

Chavarria made 44 appearances across all competitions last season, scoring one goal and providing three assists, and he is now on the verge of becoming a Chelsea player.

On Saturday, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed that Chelsea had improved their bid for Chavarria, and Matteo Moretto has now confirmed that a €25m deal has been fully agreed, with the 28-year-old becoming Rayo Vallecano’s most expensive sale in history.

It’s reported that Chavarria is already in London to undergo a medical, and the deal is set to be formally announced shortly, with Chelsea reaching a €25m agreement despite being previously informed that a transfer wouldn’t be finalised unless they triggered his €50m release clause.

The Spaniard is expected to compete with Jorrel Hato for the left-back berth at Stamford Bridge next season, while he could also be deployed as a wing-back if Alonso opts to move away from the 4-2-3-1 formation that he has favoured during the early weeks of pre-season.

Chelsea had also been linked with a move for former star Lewis Hall, amid his uncertain future at Newcastle United, but they are now set to sign Chavarria instead, which could pave the way for Manchester United to sign the England defender.

Pep Chavarria to become Chelsea’s latest summer signing

Chavarria is set to become Alonso’s fifth signing as Chelsea manager, following the arrivals of Marco Palestra, Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix and Danny Welbeck, while he will soon be followed by Jordan Henderson, who has mutually terminated his contract at Brentford in order to complete a move to the west London giants.

In addition, Chelsea finalised deals for Geovany Quenda, Emmanuel Emegha, Denner and Dastan Satpaev ahead of this summer, and the club have also been heavily linked with a move for Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have sold Marc Cucurella, Andrey Santos, Tyrique George and Jimmy-Jay Morgan so far this summer, with the likes of Trevoh Chalobah, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap expected to follow suit before the end of Transfer Deadline Day on 1 September.

Alejandro Garnacho has been sent on loan to Aston Villa, with an option-to-buy clause included, while Jesse Derry and Harrison Murray-Campbell have also departed on temporary deals.