Chelsea contact Rayo Vallecano about Pep Chavarria

Chelsea have initiated contact with Rayo Vallecano over a potential move for left-back Pep Chavarria as the club seeks a replacement for Marc Cucurella, who recently joined Real Madrid. The Spanish defender has emerged as a primary target following Cucurella's departure, which was finalized earlier this month.

Cucurella's transfer to Real Madrid was completed for a fee reported to be approximately 52 million euros. His exit has left a significant gap in Chelsea's defensive options, prompting the club's recruitment team to act swiftly. Initial discussions have taken place between Chelsea and Rayo Vallecano regarding Chavarria, though no official offer has been submitted.

The 28-year-old Chavarria has been a consistent performer in La Liga, making over 100 appearances for Rayo Vallecano since joining from Real Zaragoza in 2022. He was a key figure in the team's run to the UEFA Europa Conference League final last season, playing every minute from the round of 16 onward. His current contract with the Madrid-based club runs until 2030.

Chelsea face competition for the defender's signature, with Bayer Leverkusen also reportedly interested. Chavarria's transfer situation is complicated...