Chelsea Club continues its moves to sign the Spanish Pep Chavarria, Rayo Vallecano's left-back, during the summer transfer window, after the Spanish club rejected the first offer submitted by the Blues.
Pep Chavarria
Club: Rayo Vallecano
Chelsea is looking to bolster the left-back position following Marc Cucurella's departure to Real Madrid, as coach Xabi Alonso wants to sign a player with similar attributes, placing Chavarria at the top of his priorities.
Chelsea had already secured the signing of Marco Palestra from Atalanta, but the 21-year-old player is expected to primarily occupy the right-back position despite his ability to play on both sides.
Chavarria (28 years old) participated in 33 matches in the Spanish league last season, starting 29 of them, and scored one goal and provided two assists with Rayo Vallecano.
The player has a release clause in his contract amounting to 50 million euros (about 43 million pounds sterling), but Rayo Vallecano is willing to let him go for a lower amount.
Chelsea submitted an opening offer estimated at around 9 million euros (7.7 million pounds sterling), but Rayo Vallecano rejected it immediately as it fell short of their financial demands.
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, negotiations between the two clubs are still ongoing, as Chelsea seeks to reach an agreement after the rejection of the first offer.
The Blues have received a morale boost in the deal, as Chavarria wants to move to Stamford Bridge, which has prompted both parties to hold a new round of negotiations.
Romano had previously indicated that the player had already reached an agreement with Chelsea regarding personal terms and gave his approval for the transfer, leaving only the agreement between the two clubs on the deal's value.
In another context, reports confirmed that Sunderland does not intend to change its stance regarding the Swiss Granit Xhaka, after the player rejected the idea of moving to Chelsea.