Pep Chavarria to Chelsea: Blues face £21.5m ultimatum

Pep Chavarria to Chelsea: Chelsea handed £21.5m ultimatum over Pep Chavarria transfer

Pep Chavarria to Chelsea: Chelsea’s summer business is getting messy. The Blues have spent a fortnight chasing Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria, only to be told bluntly that it is the full £21.5m release clause or nothing. According to BBC Sport, an opening bid of around £7.7m was swatted away without ceremony. Rayo’s stance is firm. Pay up or look elsewhere.

Marc Cucurella’s departure to Real Madrid left a massive hole on the left side of defence. While Jorrel Hato is expected to be Xabi Alonso’s first-choice option, the manager wants someone with ready-made experience and the legs to back him up.

At 28, Chavarria fits that brief perfectly. He is a physically tenacious, energetic full-back well-suited to the demands of Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 system. Fabrizio Romano confirmed Chelsea opened club-to-club talks with Rayo, and the player himself wants the move. (Via Metro)

Why the Spanish full-back fits Alonso’s system

Last season, Chavarria made 33 La Liga appearances for Rayo, logging 2,681 minutes across the campaign. He chipped in with one goal and two assists. In total, he has racked up 105 La Liga appearances during his time at the Vallecas club.

Crucially, he played a massive part in Rayo reaching the UEFA Conference League final last season, where they eventually lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace. His former manager, Inigo Perez, who has since left for Villarreal, called him “a luxury to have in the team.” High praise.

Rayo president Martin Presa is furious. He is so angered by Chelsea’s conduct, specifically approaching the player before starting formal club-to-club negotiations, that he has considered reporting the Blues to FIFA for an alleged tap-up.

That kind of boardroom anger does not grease the wheels of a transfer.

Financial reality is biting hard at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea were fined again by UEFA earlier this window for breaching financial regulations, tightening the constraints on what they can actually spend. Todd Boehly has already dropped over £100m on incoming transfers. While they recouped £65m from selling Cucurella and Tyrique George, the latter heading to Everton, that net spend still needs careful management. Especially since Alonso still wants a new centre-back.

To raise funds, Chelsea are open to selling Alejandro Garnacho. Signed from Manchester United just 12 months ago for £40m, the Argentine managed a deeply disappointing single goal and four assists in 24 Premier League appearances last term. Roma are interested. Any decent fee from that potential exit would provide much-needed breathing room under the financial rules.

Rayo have their own problems. With Alfonso Espino already gone, Chavarria is now the only recognised senior left-back at the club. They cannot afford to let him walk out the door without a replacement lined up.

Read: Chelsea closing in on transfer move for £40m Man Utd target

Chelsea are not walking away yet. Romano confirmed the recruitment team is preparing an improved official bid, and personal terms are not expected to be an issue. It just comes down to whether Boehly decides to pay the clause.