Chelsea Begin Search for Cucurella Replacement
Chelsea is exploring the Spanish market for a left back following the departure of Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid. The Spaniard joined Real Madrid on a €50 million deal after 4 years with the London club, and Chelsea has identified Rayo Vallecano left back Pep Chavarría as the priority target to replace Cucurella at Chelsea, according to Matteo Moretto.
Pep Chavarría Emerges as Top Target
Initial contact has been made with Rayo Vallecano to inquire about the feasibility of a transfer in the summer, while the player is having multiple offers on his table, including from Bayer Leverkusen.
The 28-year-old left back has a contract until 2030 with the Madrid club, and they are not in a hurry to sell the player; however, the player's stance is still unknown.
Why Xabi Alonso Wants Chavarría
Chavarria is a dynamic left back with excellent offensive and defensive qualities. Chavarría meets Xabi Alonso's tactical needs as an attacking full-back. He can provide width, make overlapping runs, and deliver quality crosses into the penalty area. At the same time, he stays dependable on defense during transitions.
Transfer Fee and Contract Situation
He is a very experienced player in Spanish football, and the player is likely to be in demand from the new Chelsea manager, Xabi Alonso, to bolster the position, the release clause of Pep Chavarria is likely to be around €25 - €30 million.
With interest coming from Bayer Leverkusen, Chelsea might face competition for Chavarría's signature. However, the Blues are thinking about an official move as they aim to quickly fill the gap left by Cucurella's departure.