Chelsea have been the busiest club in the summer transfer window, concluding multiple deals, both incomings and outgoings, but one deal's gamble could be about to backfire.
The Blues have already sold several players this window, including allowing Marc Cucurella to join Real Madrid in a deal worth £52 million last month.
The recently crowned World Cup winner's move to the Santiago Bernabeu wasn't a big surprise either.
Following Chelsea's failure to qualify for European football next season after finishing 10th in the league, Cucurella was always likely to be the first to go.
Chelsea's Marc Cucurella gamble is backfiring
Chelsea's biggest problem is that not only is the 28-year-old arguably the best left-back in the world on his day, but the club are now struggling to sign the player Xabi Alonso has handpicked to replace him.
Alonso wants to bring Pep Chavarria to Stamford Bridge. The 44-year-old knows the Spanish defender well and rates him highly. Rayo Vallecano are driving a hard bargain though.
Both clubs have been in talks for weeks but Rayo Vallecano's strong position puts them in total control.
The La Liga outfit are adamant they will not let Chavarria leave for anything less than his £42.4 million release clause. Until now, the Blues have not been willing to meet those demands. Their latest offer still sees them £10 million short.
The transfer impasse has seen progress on the deal stall with the Blues facing a tough decision: trigger Chavarria's release clause in full or walk away.
Jorrel Hato ready to step up but is he enough?
Chelsea do have a readymade replacement at left-back in Jorrel Hato.
The Dutchman enjoyed an impressive campaign last season and the club have high hopes for him moving forward, but it's a lot to expect the 20-year-old to immediately fill the void left by Cucurella.
A new signing would allow Hato the chance to continue his development without the pressure of starting week in, week out.
However, if the Blues can't get a deal for the player Alonso wants over the line, they'll be forced back to the drawing board with time already against them.
The Blues jet off for their pre-season tour of Australia and Asia on Friday and will begin their preparations before the start of the new 2026-27 season in four weeks' time.
Any player moving to England for the first time needs time to adapt. Chavarria would be no different.
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