Chelsea are “set to sign” Independiente del Valle attacking midfielder Kendry Paez, according to journalist Luca Bendoni.

The Ecuadorian youth international will cost around $20m (£16m),  including “huge add-ons”, with the player expected to put pen to paper on a long-term contract soon:

After his amazing performances in the Sudamericano Sub17 with Ecuador, Kendry Paez is set to sign with Chelsea. 🔵 #CFC

Been told the total deal package will be around $20m in installments – including huge add-ons structure. He should sign the contract next week. 💫🇪🇨 pic.twitter.com/w2EyeTTx4W

— Luca Bendoni (@LucaBendoni) April 2, 2023

Paez has been in demand since impressing at a youth tournament in Austria back in August last year, with a number of Premier League teams pursuing his services.

Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Brighton and Newcastle were all credited with an interest in the 15-year-old but the Blues seem to have won the race for his signature.

Paez won’t move to Stamford Bridge straight away due to his age, but it won’t be long before he links up with the academy at Cobham.

Since the arrival of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, Chelsea have been focused on recruiting young talent, with the club having also signed the likes of Cesare Casadei, Jimmy-Jay Morgan and Omari Hutchinson since last summer.