Chelsea agree deal to sign Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria | OneFootball

Chelsea have reached an agreement with Rayo Vallecano to sign left-back Pep Chavarria.

According to transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano, the Blues will pay an initial £16.3 million to sign the 28-year-old, with a further £1.7m in add-ons.

Chavarria will undergo a medical over the weekend, and will become the latest addition to the Blues’ squad.

Wallecano will receive a club-record fee for a sale for a player who joined them from Real Zaragoza four years ago.

Chelsea’s transfer business could be complete for the summer

Chelsea have idenfitied Pep Chavarria as the ideal replacement for World Cup winner Marc Cucurella.

The left-back generally played in a back four at Vallecano. He is a good progressive ball carrier, a skill-set that makes him vital to manager Xabi Alonso’s system.

Alonso has instructed his full-backs to get the ball up-field by carrying it when they can during pre-season.

Teenage academy star Landon Emenalo performed the role well against Western Sydney Wanderers, as did Jorrel Hato against Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus.

This kind of responsibility often leaves the defenders with significant work to do going back the other way when the ball is lost.

Chavarria is equipped for this, with his top speed at Rayo Vallecano reaching 36.3 km/h. This enables him to quickly catch up to wingers in transition or make up enough ground to force them to act.

He is also an accurate crosser and is able to pick out crosses and cut-backs when needed.

Chavarria will be Chelsea’s ninth addition this summer. They have brought in Marco Palestra, Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck.

The Blues previously agreed deals for Emanuel Emegha, Geovany Quenda and Valentin Barco.

Cucurella joined Real Madrid and further departures are on the cards. They have just under a month left in the transfer window to conclude their business.