Chelsea are closing in on a deal for Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria, with personal terms already agreed and the clubs working towards a fee below £20m, according to BBC Sport.

The 28-year-old has made clear to Rayo that he wants the move to Stamford Bridge, and that desire has been the lever prising negotiations open. Chelsea's initial £15m bid was rejected at the end of June, and at one stage Rayo demanded the player's full release clause — a figure around £42.8m. Spanish reports earlier in August suggested a deal was close to completion (Metro), and transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano confirmed Chelsea had submitted a new, improved offer (Yahoo Sports).

Chavarria is a key target for new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso. He did not make his La Liga debut until he was 24 — a late bloomer in a sport that often signs teenagers for tens of millions (Sky Sports). Now 28, he arrives as a player hardened by top-flight experience rather than hyped by potential.

Chavarria is wanted to replace Marc Cucurella, who joined Real Madrid in June for £51.8m. He would also be joining a defence that has already been reinforced: Marco Palestra arrived from Atalanta for £47m to play right-back, and Maxence Lacroix came in from Crystal Palace for £52m.

The Chavarria pursuit is one strand of a summer rebuild under Alonso that has reshaped the squad top to bottom. Morgan Rogers signed from Aston Villa for a club-record £117m. Danny Welbeck, 35, arrived from Brighton to add a veteran presence up front. Jordan Henderson, 36, joined after cancelling his contract with Brentford. Midfielder Valentin Barco is expected to join from Strasbourg — Chelsea's partner club in France — imminently.

Outgoings have been part of the picture too. Trevoh Chalobah is heading to Italian side Como 1907 for around £31m.

For fans, the Chavarria deal is a window into how Alonso wants to build: experienced players who know their game, found at sensible prices rather than blockbuster fees. The £20m ceiling Chelsea are working to on Chavarria sits comfortably inside the sums they have spent elsewhere this window. If the clubs can bridge the gap between £15m and Rayo's clause, Chavarria gets his move — and Alonso gets a left-back who has earned his shot the long way round.