Chelsea told to pay £42m to sign Pep Chavarria

Chelsea have been told to pay £42 million to sign Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria this summer, according to BBC Sport.

The Blues are expected to land a new left-back this summer after sanctioning the sale of Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid for £52m.

Chavarria has been earmarked as the prime target for manager Xabi Alonso, but the Blues are finding it hard to secure an agreement.

The 28-year-old has already given the green light for a transfer, but Vallecano are playing hardball and are sticking to the buy-out clause.

Chelsea initially tried to pay £13m for the defender, who had a £21m release clause in his contract. Vallecano dismissed the proposal.

They have since raised the figure to around £21m, but the player's release clause reportedly increased to £42m in the middle of July.

Vallecano are now adamant that he won't leave unless the new figure is met. Chelsea could be forced to look elsewhere for a new left-back.