Chelsea open talks to sign surprise name as Marc Cucurella replacement
Chelsea need a new left-back after the departure of Marc Cucurella and have opened talks with a name many fans will not be familiar with.
Cucurella has left Stamford Bridge for Real Madrid, joining the Spanish giants in a £52 million deal.
The Blues are now light on the left of defence, with Jorrel Hato an option but incoming boss Xabi Alonso will need someone else in that position following Cucurella’s exit.
An unexpected name has emerged on the radar at Stamford Bridge, in fact talks have already begun over a shock move for another Spanish full-back.
Spanish publication Marca report that Chelsea have made ‘initial contact’ over a deal for Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria.
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The 28-year-old has caught the eye elsewhere as well, with Bayer Leverkusen interested in him and considering a bid.
An offer is yet to arrive from any club, but Chavarria looks likely to have some high profile options in front of him this summer.
The asking price Rayo Vallecano would put on Chavarria is not clear, but he remains under contract at the club until 2030.
The full-back has been with Rayo since 2022, joining from Real Zaragoza, and has made 125 appearances for his current club.
Rayo Vallecano enjoyed a run to the Europa Conference League final last season, where they were beaten by Crystal Palace.
He does have plenty of La Liga experience, but has never played in European competition above the Conference League. Nor has the full-back been capped by Spain at any level.
There is set to be a lot of movement in the Chelsea squad this summer, as has been the case in so many summers in the past.
Cucurella has made it clear that he hopes influential midfielder Enzo Fernandez joins him in swapping Stamford Bridge for the Santiago Bernabeu.
Other players including Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah and Liam Delap have all been linked with exits as well.
Meanwhile Chelsea are looking at a range of targets, including a shock move for Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka.
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