Updated 18:37, 14 Jul 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nXabi Alonso during a Chelsea training session(Image: Darren Walsh\/Chelsea FC)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/p>\n
Chelsea are continuing their pursuit of Pep Chavarria from Rayo Vallecano, although sources insist the defender’s asking price has now been increased.<\/p>\n
The Blues have been in direct club-to-club talks with Rayo for around a fortnight regarding the signing of left back Chavarria.<\/p>\n
After Marc Cucurella’s \u00a352million move to Real Madrid last month, the Blues are hoping to add another option for the left-back department at Stamford Bridge and Chavarria is someone Xabi Alonso has requested.<\/p>\n
The 28-year-old defender, who has spent his entire professional career in his homeland of Spain, is understood to be keen on moving to west London but negotiations have proved frustrating for all parties.<\/p>\n
Stamford Bridge insiders insist Chelsea were initially told \u20ac15m (\u00a312.8m) would be enough to land Chavarria this summer, however there has been a change in stance from Rayo.<\/p>\n
FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE!<\/strong> Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Spanish club are now demanding \u20ac25m (\u00a321.3m) for their left back as club-to-club talks continue. Chelsea are looking to drive that price down as Alonso hopes for his second signing since being appointed the club’s manager.<\/p>\n
Marco Palestra arrived from Atalanta at the start of the month with the Blues paying the Italian club \u00a347m – including add-ons – for the versatile defender.<\/p>\n
Palestra’s versatility is something Alonso, when speaking in his unveiling press conference earlier this week, was keen to point out.<\/p>\n
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\nChelsea are still working on a deal to sign Pep Chavarria (Image: Aitor Alcalde Colomer)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
“He has many great qualities to adapt to modern football, he is a player that gives you versatility in his positioning, playing in a back four and a back five, even,” Alonso explained.<\/p>\n
“Sometimes he has to play on the left, physically really strong, we need to keep working with him in his development and training to adapt to the Premier League.<\/p>\n
“But I am pretty sure and I am positive that it will take a lot of time and he has a very good mentality in terms of competitiveness.<\/p>\n
“In terms of his hunger to improve, so I am happy that he is with him, he has been already training and we are really looking forward to getting the best from him.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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