Chelsea are close to finalising an agreement with Rayo Vallecano for left-back Pep Chavarria.The 28-year-old has agreed personal terms with the Premier League side and is expected to be given permission to undergo medical, as the clubs work amicably towards completing the deal.Chelsea are prioritising the arrival of a left-sided defender after Marc Cucurella joined Real Madrid in a €60million (£51.7m; $69.4m) move in June, leaving Jorrel Hato as the only recognised left-back in the club’s senior squad. Landon Emenalo, 18, has featured there for Chelsea in pre-season.Chavarria featured in Rayo’s run to last season’s Conference League final, and played the full 90 minutes as Inigo Perez’s side lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace in the decider in Leipzig.He has played the entirety of his career in Spanish football and has made 125 appearances for Rayo since joining from Real Zaragoza in 2022.His current contract at the Madrid-based club runs through to 2030 and contains a €50million (£42.8m) release clause.Chelsea announced the club’s first signing of the Xabi Alonso era last month as Marco Palestra joined from Atalanta on a seven-year contract, following the pre-existing deals to sign Geovany Quenda, Denner, Dastan Satpaev and Emmanuel Emegha.The club have subsequently added Morgan Rogers, Danny Welbeck, Maxence Lacroix and Jordan Henderson to Alonso’s squad, while Mykhailo Mudryk has been cleared to return to first-team activities following a doping ban.‘Chavarria Chelsea’s No 1 target at left back’Analysis by Chelsea correspondent Simon JohnsonThis has been a long time coming and has always been a matter of when, not if.Chelsea were looking for a left back to replace Marc Cucurella, who joined Real Madrid before the World Cup.The issue was the fee, with Chelsea and Rayo Vallecano having different variations from the get-go. It has taken a while to reach a compromise.While Chelsea did consider other options, Chavarria was the No 1 target. He is not only seen as someone that can feature in the team, but an individual that can help mentor Jorrel Hato, as well as Landon Emenalo, who is a highly rated member of the under-21s and seen as someone that can progress into the senior squad.Aug 4, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms