Pep Chavarria is set to leave Rayo Vallecano for Chelsea in a deal worth €25m (£21.6m), plus bonuses and performance-related additions, in what will become the biggest sale in the Madrid club’s history.
The agreement is expected to be officially announced in the coming hours, with the two clubs completing the final details of the transfer, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.
Rayo Vallecano had hoped to receive a fee closer to the €50m release clause included in Chavarria’s contract. However, negotiations have resulted in a settlement worth approximately half that amount, with the additional payments potentially increasing the overall value of the deal.
The move represents the biggest step of Chavarria’s professional career. The 26-year-old left-back is joining Chelsea after producing the finest campaign of his career, making 44 appearances in all competitions for Rayo Vallecano.
He scored once during the season, with his goal coming in an impressive performance against Atletico de Madrid, and also registered three assists. Those displays helped establish Chavarria as one of the leading left-backs in the Spanish league and attracted interest from several prominent European clubs.
Bayer Leverkusen were among the teams monitoring his progress, but Chavarria ultimately chose a move to Chelsea and the Premier League.
The Spanish defender has already arrived in London as he prepares to begin work under compatriot Xabi Alonso. Chelsea’s new head coach uses a system based on three defenders and attack-minded wing-backs, an approach that should suit Chavarria’s attacking qualities.
His arrival is also expected to address the departure of Marc Cucurella, who has moved to Real Madrid. Chavarria’s main competition for the left-back position at Chelsea will be Yuriel Hato.
The transfer will bring a significant financial reward to Rayo Vallecano, surpassing the previous record fee received by the club for a player. Although the final package is below Chavarria’s release clause, the deal still represents a landmark sale for the Madrid-based side.
Chavarria began his career with Figueres before moving on to Olot and then Real Zaragoza. He subsequently joined Rayo Vallecano, where his development and performances led to interest from clubs across Europe.
After establishing himself in Spain and completing his most productive season to date, Chavarria is now preparing for a new challenge with one of European football’s biggest clubs. His transfer to Chelsea will give him the opportunity to compete in the Premier League while working in a tactical system designed to make use of attacking full-backs.
