Newcastle, Forest and Chelsea plan fullback raids on Rayo

Chelsea have already registered their interest in left-back Pep Chavarría, 28, and are reportedly prepared to pay around €25 million for the Catalan, according to Matteo Moretto.

Now Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest have joined the race for his full-back partner, right-back Andrei Rațiu, with the Romania international identified as a top target for both clubs as they look to strengthen their options at right-back this summer.

Rațiu has been the subject of Premier League interest before. Aston Villa attempted to sign him last year but were unable to meet Rayo’s valuation, and the deal collapsed. Rayo have since made clear that any club hoping to sign the 28-year-old will have to match his release clause of €25 million, with club president Martín Presa said to be unwilling to negotiate a fee below that figure regardless of which side comes calling.

Both full-backs have been central to Rayo’s rise under Pérez, with Rațiu making 50 appearances last season and contributing five goal involvements from right-back, while Chavarría made 44 appearances across competitions.

Losing either would be a significant blow to a Rayo side that reached a European final for the first time in the club’s history last season, though their release clauses mean Rayo have little scope to resist if either fee is met in full.

For now, Rațiu remains focused on pre-season under new head coach Beñat San José, with no advanced negotiations yet reported between Rayo and either English club. Chavarría’s situation with Chelsea is similarly unresolved, with reports suggesting the London club could walk away from the deal if Rayo do not lower their valuation.

Chelsea’s interest follows the departure of Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid, leaving a gap on the left of Xabi Alonso’s defence, while Newcastle’s pursuit of Rațiu comes as Eddie Howe looks to address a shortage of full-back options after the exits of Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth and Matt Targett.