Kendry Paez scored on his first-team debut for Independiente del Valle on Saturday (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement to sign Kendry Paez from Independiente del Valle, according to reports.
Paez, 15, was being tracked by Manchester United, Manchester City and Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen, while Real Madrid were also previously linked.
The Independiente del Valle midfielder is thought to be one of the best young talents in South America and will be able to join the Blues when he turns 18.
Paez scored on his first-team debut for the club on Saturday having been integrated into the senior squad ahead of the 2022-23 season.
He has already impressed at international level for Ecuador U17s, scoring three goals across five caps.
Earlier this month, The Sun reported that Chelsea had a £14.8m bid rejected for Paez, meaning that he will likely cost more than £15m if the deal gets done.
New reports indicate that a move could soon be completed – with a verbal agreement now in place – which would see Paez head to the Premier League in three years time.
He would be the latest teenager to be snapped up by the west London club – following Andrey Santos and Malo Gusto – who were recruited in January.
The Blues have spent over £600m on new players since Todd Boehly replaced Roman Abramovich as owner in the summer.
Reece James feels Chelsea can become ‘one of the best teams in the world’ once their new stars have settled in – with the Blues currently massively struggling – as Graham Potter’s side sit 10th in the Premier League after early domestic cup exits.
‘I don’t think there’s a trophy we can’t win,’ Chelsea right-back James recently told Sky Sports.
‘When that happens I don’t know, but with the team we’re building and what the club is turning into…
‘With all the young players, once we have played together for a longer period of time I think we’re going to be one of the best teams in the world.’
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January transfer window – FAQs
He will likely cost more than £15m…
