Summary

  • Chelsea sign Spanish left-back Pep Chavarria from Rayo Vallecano on a five-year contract

  • The 28-year-old is Chelsea's 11th signing of the summer

  • Chelsea and Manchester United have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Myles Lewis-Skelly

  • Arsenal considered listening to offers for Lewis-Skelly but his strong end to last season may force a rethink

  • Get Involved: send in your views and questions for our reporters

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Live Reporting

Written by Emma Smith, Jude Winter, Freya Sweet & Flora Snelson

  1. A difficult deal to conclude

    Nizaar Kinsella
    BBC Sport Chelsea reporter

    Getting the deal over the line has not been easy for Chelsea, who were initially told by Rayo Vallecano that they would not sell Chavarria unless his release clause, now worth £42.4m, was met.

    Talks were described as "complicated" by multiple BBC Sport sources after Rayo made it clear they wanted the release clause paid in full.

    They believed the price was justified, with sources at the club arguing that Chavarria's underlying statistics show he plays at a similar level to Cucurella.

    He scored once last season and made three assists in all competitions, creating 27 chances from open play in La Liga.

    Furthermore, Chavarria had four years remaining on his contract and Rayo's successful player-trading model has left the club in a strong financial position, allowing them to resist offers in a similar way to Spain's traditional big three of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

    That profitability also means Rayo would be liable for a 25% tax charge on any additional profit generated from a sale, reducing the net value of any fee received.

    ggGetty Images

  2. Get Involved

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    In London, you’re only ever 20 metres away from a Chelsea squad member.

    Garfield, Newcastle upon Tyne

  3. Chelsea's August schedule

    Chelsea

    It’s another signing through the door for the Blues, and their new left‑back could feature for the first time in a friendly against Real Sociedad on Saturday.

    He could make his Premier League debut at Fulham, his competitive home debut against Luton in the Carabao Cup, and finish the month with a clash against Brighton at Stamford Bridge.

    Chelsea's August fixtures:

    • 15 August, Real Sociedad (14:00 BST)
    • 24 August, Fulham (20:00 BST)
    • 27 August, Luton Town (19:30 BST)
    • 30 August, Brighton & Hove Albion (14:00 BST)
    Stamford Bridge general viewGetty Images

  4. Get Involved - 'Another 50/50 season'

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    As a Chelsea supporter, I'm pleased with the direction the team seems to be going in, and understand why we are getting in the old pros. It really is another 50/50 season where we could fight relegation or be top three. Far removed from the Roman days!

    Shane, London

  5. Chelsea's transfer business so far

    Chelsea have had an incredibly busy window under new boss Xabi Alonso.

    At the start of August, 36-year-old Jordon Henderson joined the Blues on a two-year contract.

    In July, Chelsea agreed a club-record £117m deal to sign England midfielder Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, 35-year-old England striker Danny Welbeck joined in a reported £5m move from Brighton, with Strasbourg midfielder Valentin Barco arriving the following day.

    Defender Maxence Lacroix joined for £52m from Crystal Palace, 21-year-old right-back Marco Palestra moved from Atalanta for £42m and right winger Geovany Quenda signed for £40m from Sporting.

    The other new additions are 23-year-old striker Emmanuel Emegha from Strasbourg, left-back Denner, 18, from Corinthians and 17-year-old striker Dastan Satpaev from Kairat Almaty.

    Xabi AlonsoGetty Images

  6. 'One of the best days of my life' - Chavarria

    Chelsea

    After signing a five-year deal with the Blues, Chavarria told club media: "I’m so excited to get started.

    "This is a dream for me as Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in the world. This is one of the best days of my life," added the 28-year-old.

    "It is a big opportunity but I am prepared and will work hard to help the team achieve success.

    "There are a lot of people who have helped me get to this moment and I have to thank my family. They have always supported me and today is only possible because of them."

    Pep ChavarriaGetty Images

  7. Get Involved - 'How do Chelsea keep buying players?'

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    As soon as you saw "DONE DEAL KLAXON", you just knew it was Chelsea... That can't just have been me, right?

    Phil, Littlehampton

    Can someone please explain to me what Chelsea's strategy is? I'm completely baffled.

    Michael, Horwich

    How do Chelsea keep buying players and what do they do with them all?

    Jeff, Leeds

  8. Chavarria unveiled at Cobham

    Chelsea Unveil New Signing Pep Chavarria at Chelsea Training Ground on August 12, 2026 in Cobham, England.Getty Images

    The Blues have paid a £16.3m fee for Chavarria, plus £1.7m in add-ons.

    He's their 11th incoming of the summer.

  9. Chelsea sign Chavarria
    Breaking

    Chelsea have signed Spanish left-back Pep Chavarria.

    The 28-year-old joins from Rayo Vallecano on a contract which runs until 2031.

    Chelsea Unveil New Signing Pep Chavarria at Chelsea Training GroundGetty Images

  10. Woof, that didn't take long.

    Fourteen minutes into today's transfer live and we've already got our first DONE DEAL KLAXON.

    Hold tight for the big reveal.

  11. Get Involved

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of the page

    First thing's first, we want to hear what you make of the moves so far, and what you’re hoping for before the window shuts on 1 September.

    We’re also running a transfer Q&A with our reporters later on, so send in any transfer‑related questions over and we’ll share as many answers as they can get to.

    Make sure you hit the big yellow ‘Get Involved’ button to send your questions over.

  12. Good morning

    Hello and welcome to today's transfer live.

    We're going to bring you every major deal as it comes through, and take a look at some of the rumours flying around the biggest players as we go.

    Thank you for joining us.