Chelsea transfer news: Independiente del Valle general manager Santiago Morales has confirmed that the Blues have agreed a deal for one of South America's most exciting prodigies
Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Independiente del Valle teenage sensation Kendry Paez, the Ecuadorian club's general manager has revealed.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has claimed earlier this month that Paez was close to agreeing a move to Stamford Bridge in 2025, with him unable to make the switch to England until he is 18. Now, the £17.5million deal looks close to being agreed.
Independiente del Valle's general manager, Santiago Morales, provided an update on the imminent move, confirming it's "practically arranged". "It is something that we have already been talking about on a few occasions, a few months ago," he told Studio Futbol - via METRO.
"There is a specific interest from Chelsea, it is practically arranged between the parties. Legally we are looking at what can be done, he is a 15-year-old boy, FIFA prohibits this type of negotiation. We are going to be fortunate enough to be able to enjoy him for at least two more years until he turns 18 and then he can go.
"You have to see the legal issue and obviously a transfer contract cannot be signed, maybe some agreement, and that is what Chelsea is finding out both with their league, with their federation and with FIFA to be able to direct this transfer that would be unprecedented in Ecuadorian football. We are sure that it will be the first of many more.
"I know that Kendry is going to be a great ambassador for all Ecuadorian players, I’m talking about all the players who have this chance to make the leap and at such a young age.
"You have to take advantage of these days and these tournaments that people attend to enjoy themselves because he really is a great player, a great boy."
Chelsea have been tipped to land Harry Kane from Tottenham this summer ahead of rivals Manchester United
The 29-year-old has already broken both the Tottenham and England national team all-time goal scoring records in the past few months, cementing his legacy. Though the one question that remains is whether he will have any trophies to show for it when he hangs his boots up.
Former Spurs boss Redknapp has tipped Kane to stay at the club, but does believe that the Blues have an advantage over United if they were to make a move for Kane. He told Beyond The Pitch: "If Pochettino’s there, I’m sure Harry got on well with him, and it’s a great move for him, not far from where I think he’s building a house in that area.
"He’s a family man and he’d be quite happy not moving to the north of England or wherever he’d have to go. I don’t see him going abroad, I really don’t. The only club that would interest him is a Real Madrid, and I don’t see that happening. I’ve got a feeling he’ll stay at Tottenham.”
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