Chelsea Football Club is reportedly close to finalizing a £16.3 million ($21.9 million) transfer agreement to sign defender Pep Chavarria from Spanish side Rayo Vallecano. The 28-year-old left-back was part of the Rayo team that reached last season’s UEFA Conference League final and is expected to add competition for existing Chelsea player Jorrel Hato, 20, following the departure of Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid during the summer transfer window.

Chavarria’s professional experience includes four seasons at the top level, having joined Rayo Vallecano in 2022 from Segunda Division club Real Zaragoza. His anticipated signing aligns with Chelsea’s recent recruitment strategy under new manager Xabi Alonso, which favors more experienced additions to the squad. This approach contrasts with the previous focus on younger, less experienced players, as Chelsea aim to strengthen their chances of competing for titles after finishing 10th in the Premier League last season.

Alongside Chavarria, Chelsea have bolstered their defensive options this summer, with Portuguese right-back Marco Palestra arriving from Atalanta in July and French centre-back Maxence Lacroix joining from Crystal Palace last week. The club’s midfield and attack have also seen new signings, including 35-year-old striker Danny Welbeck from Brighton & Hove Albion and 36-year-old midfielder Jordan Henderson, who transferred from Brentford.

Further restructuring has seen several players leave Stamford Bridge. On Monday, Chelsea agreed terms for centre-back Trevoh Chalobah to move to Italian side Como, where he is expected to play a key role as the club prepares for its inaugural Champions League campaign. Chelsea will reportedly receive a percentage of any future transfer fee related to Chalobah. Other departures this summer include Marc Cucurella, Tyrique George, Andrey Santos, and Alejandro Garnacho.

Chelsea’s summer activities also include breaking their transfer record with a £117 million deal to acquire Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, as well as the addition of Argentina international Valentin Barco from Strasbourg. The club has also signed striker Emmanuel Emegha and winger Geovany Quenda as part of ongoing efforts to reshape the squad ahead of the new season.