Chelsea has emerged victorious in the race to sign Ecuadorian teenage sensation Kendry Paez, beating out competition from Manchester United, according to Independiente del Valle’s club director.
The 16-year-old prodigy has garnered significant attention in South American football and attracted scouts from top European clubs after making his senior debut earlier this year.
Paez’s impressive performances, including scoring twice for Ecuador at the South American Under-17 Championship, caught the eye of clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund.
However, Chelsea acted swiftly and secured a deal, although it cannot be officially ratified due to FIFA rules prohibiting transfers for players under 18.
Must Read: Napoli defender Kim Min-jae has accepted a transfer to Manchester United
Paez will have to wait until May 2025 when he turns 18 to complete the £17.5 million move. Independiente’s Santiago Morales confirmed the unofficial agreement with Chelsea, revealing that medical tests have already been conducted.
As reported by the Metro, he said:
“Now comes the legal issue. We can’t sign a contract because of Kendry’s age. The panorama has been clarified in a better way, today I can say that Kendry, after two years, will go to Chelsea.”
“We received some offers for him, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United and, well, Chelsea have been the team that showed the most interest. Officials from the team and the doctor came to carry out some tests.”
Despite a rival bid from Manchester United, Paez is set to join Chelsea in two years’ time. While United may still attempt to overtake Chelsea, Morales suggests that Independiente del Valle is satisfied with what has been offered by the London club.
Although the Red Devils may miss out on signing Paez, the club’s close monitoring of the South American market is seen as a positive sign.
Erik ten Hag’s previous experience at Ajax indicates his high regard for the South American talent pool.
