Chelsea closing in on deal for ‘Ecuadorian gem’ Kendry Paez – Fabrizio Romano

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 24 Feb 2023 07:39 GMT
• 4 min read

Chelsea are nearing an agreement to sign Kendry Paez from Independiente del Valle, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Blues have made spectacular headway in the transfer market over the course of the last eight months, spending record figures on some of football’s brightest up-and-coming stars.

Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk are just two of the players who have arrived at Stamford Bridge since Todd Boehly took over last spring and set about transforming the project into one that leans heavily on young players, who are bought for sizeable fees and given lengthy contracts.

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Chelsea have already agreed a deal to bring RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku to the club in the summer, but their plans stretch further into the future than that with the news that they are close to signing Paez.

Romano reports: “Chelsea are closing in on verbal agreement with Independiente del Valle to sign Ecuadorian gem Kendry Paez — deal close to be complete.”

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Born on 4 May 2007, Paez is still only 15 years old but has already been capped four times by Ecuador’s U17 side and is described as a “fearless dribbler” by reports in his homeland.

He would not be able to formally join Chelsea until he turns 18, so he would only arrive at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2026. Nevertheless, the Blues know there is already a good deal of interest in the player and are trying to get a jump on their rivals by making an early move.

Manchester United have reportedly had a bid knocked back for the player in the past, while Bayer Leverkusen have also taken an interest in the player.

Chelsea to forge new links with Ecuador?

Chelsea may not have historically strong links with Ecuadorian football, but their backroom staff certainly do.

Co-sporting director Paul Winstanley enjoyed great success at Brighton by importing some of the South American side’s richest young talent, with Moises Caicedo and Pervis Estupinan among the players who have flourished at the AmEx Stadium in recent months.

Indeed, Chelsea even tried to sign Caicedo during the January transfer window but instead opted for Enzo.

Kendry, therefore, may be the first of many young Ecuadorian stars heavily linked with a transfer to the Blues.