Chelsea are close to signing Independiente del Valle midfielder Kendry Paez, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
A number of other Premier League teams, including Liverpool. Manchester City, Manchester United, Brighton and Newcastle, have also been credited with an interest in the 15-year-old but Romano believes the Blues have won the race for his services. Supporters on Twitter are delighted that Chelsea are trying to snap so many talented young players:
Boehly cooking again๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
— Ali (@CFC_Ali10) February 23, 2023
Moving in to avoid paying 100m to Brighton in some years time . Smart
— Koulibalyโs houseboy (@iamyourspec) February 23, 2023
At least weโre winning off the field
— ๐ฆ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ป๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐ (@isuccess_) February 23, 2023
Weโre going to be amazing in 2033.
— Vincent Gauci (@GauciGauci) February 23, 2023
nah heโs genuinely the best talent iโve seen in long
— T (@username42353) February 23, 2023
been watching him for years special player
— ๐จ๐ฉ (@otpjim_) February 23, 2023
Yessssssssss
— โก+ ๐ฅ (@Bishop86731402) February 23, 2023
Incredible scouting, I used to pray for times like this ๐ญ
— Lunihan (@LunihanV1) February 23, 2023
The Ecuadorian youth international first came to the attention of European scouts when he impressed playing at the Next Generation Trophy tournament in Salzburg back in August last year, and his progress has clearly been closely monitored by those in the Blues’ recruitment department.
Paez won’t move to Stamford Bridge straight away if the transfer is finalised due to his age. British clubs can’t sign players from abroad who are under the age of 18 so he will have to stay in Ecuador for another three years.