Chelsea closer than ever to signing replacement for Marc Cucurella as player travels to England
It has been almost two months since Chelsea confirmed that Marc Cucurella was leaving Stamford Bridge to join Real Madrid. Finally, the Blues are closing in on his replacement.
Cucurella was the first big departure of the summer for Chelsea, costing Madrid an initial fee of £47.5m. A deal is expected to reach £51.8m with add-ons, the fifth time Jose Mourinho has signed a Chelsea player.
RATE 1-10: Is Marc Cucurella’s exit good business by Chelsea?
The Blues have since improved other areas of the squad, but have yet to replace Cucurella. Throughout, the club’s priority signing has been Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria, on Xabi Alonso’s request.
Plenty of others have been linked while Rayo changed the goalposts, constantly asking for more money, and at one point, it was even suggested Chelsea would have to pay the 28-year-old’s clause: £42.4m.
Pep Chavarria incoming: Spanish left-back travels to England
It has been a crazy week at Chelsea. Danny Welbeck has been announced, as has the long-awaited arrival of Valentin Barco. Jordan Henderson is expected soon, while reports from Portugal suggest another.
The Blues are also said to be in ‘advanced talks’ for Porto and Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa. Also over the weekend, it was suggested that Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Chavarria after agreeing a fee.
The two sides have agreed a £21.3m figure for the Europa Conference League finalist, with personal terms never an issue. According to Sebastien Vidal, Chavarria has travelled to England and is set for a medical.
Vidal posted on X: “Pep Chavarría has been in London for a few hours. The player will commit to the Blues after a medical examination.”
What can we expect at Chelsea this week?
With Welbeck and Barco announced, Chelsea are not expected to slow down with the first game of the Premier League season exactly three weeks away, when the Blues take on Fulham on August 24.
BREAKING: Chelsea are closing in on Costa and Chavarria! 👊
Chavarria is in England and talks are advanced for Costa.
Henderson is likely to be the first through the door. A two-year deal for the Liverpool icon, following Alonso in defying Anfield for Stamford Bridge. Then, Chavarria could well be announced by the Blues.
Costa may take a bit more time if reports are true, while players will also need to be sold. Two defenders are closing in on an exit, in Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah. But more departures are likely.
Welbeck’s arrival is likely to see a few exits in the striker department, with Liam Delap, Marc Guiu, Nicolas Jackson and Emmanuel Emegha all likely to consider their place in Chelsea’s squad ahead of 2026-27.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
