Chelsea moves to boost Xabi Alonso with second signing

Chelsea are in the race to bolster their squad under their new manager Xabi Alonso ahead of next season.

The Blues are reported to have started discussions with Rayo Vallecano in an effort to acquire left back Pep Chavarria.

Chelsea want to sign a deal with the 28-year-old defender following the recent exit of Marc Cucurella, who completed a £52 million transfer to Spanish club Real Madrid, leaving Alonso with limited options on the left side of defense.

Football London quoted sources saying that the Premier League club has begun negotiations with Rayo regarding a potential transfer for Chavarria, who has four years left on his contract with last season’s Conference League runners-up.

Hato, who moved to Stamford Bridge last summer from Ajax for £37 million, took some time to adjust at Stamford Bridge, and his performance improvement in the latter half of his debut season impressed the club’s executives.

The Dutch player is expected to take the left side after Cucurella’s departure while Chavarria would be additional option in the same position.

Recall that the Blues secured Marco Palestra from Atalanta (with club confirmation pending) as their first signing under Alonso. They will now hope to make Chavarria the second.