Chelsea were immediately told that an initial offer for Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka had been rejected over the weekend – and now, they’ve received the same feedback from Rayo Vallecano.
Chelsea are targeting four signings at the moment. Marco Palestra looks done, while the Blues also want Xhaka, Chavarria and Crystal Palace’s France World Cup star Maxence Lacroix, who is rated at £50m.
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Over the weekend, Chelsea’s interest in both Xhaka and Chavarria emerged in the public domain. The Blues have since tabled an £8m offer for Xhaka, despite reports suggesting he could cost far more.
Some said similar to the £17m he cost Sunderland last summer, some said north of £25m. Either way, Chelsea’s measly offer of £8m was rejected. Alan Shearer has described Chelsea’s bid as “embarrassing”.
Chelsea fail to learn from Xhaka bid when tabling Chavarria offer
Signing a player who has arguably enjoyed his best season in English football for half the price he was bought for 12 months earlier is near impossible. Sunderland were never going to accept Chelsea’s bid.
The same goes for Chavarria, after the 28-year-old helped Rayo reach the Conference League final, only to lose to Lacroix’s Palace. Given the age of both players, they are not expected to cost the entire world.
But clearly, more than Chelsea are offering. Mundo Deportivo say Chelsea have bid £7.75m for Chavarria as well as including some add-ons. A tiny offer for one of La Liga’s best left-backs during 2025-26.
It will come as little surprise to learn Rayo have rejected the offer. Rayo are likely to be open to selling Chavarria for the right price and it feels like an easy deal to do, yet Chelsea are making hard work of it.
Are Chelsea lowballing Palace and Rayo on purpose?
Either, Chelsea have little cash to spend – which feels unlikely after raking in north of £70m from the sales of Marc Cucurella and Jimmy-Jay Morgan, and the compensation fee of £17m paid by Manchester City.
Do you want to see Pep Chavarria, Marco Palestra or Jorrel Hato at left-back next season?
Chavarria didn't do a bad job in the Conference League final against Crystal Palace
Chelsea have failed to qualify for Europe, which means they will miss out on a cash injection throughout 2026-27. Perhaps Chelsea’s offers are a tactic rather than simply undervaluing Xhaka and Chavarria.
A tactic to possibly add pressure on Sunderland and Rayo to sell, with Xhaka and Chavarria both said to be interested in joining Alonso’s revolution. But Chelsea still have to pay what they’re worth.
Failure to do that, and Chelsea fans – who are excited at the prospect of Xhaka and Chavarria in a Blues shirt – will be left disappointed. It is a risky tactic from Chelsea’s sporting directors this summer.
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