Chelsea have allegedly finalised a deal for Independiente del Valle youngster Kendry Paez.
During the January transfer window, Chelsea completed a deal for Vasco da Gama midfielder Andrey Santos, representing a shrewd piece of business in South America.
However, it soon emerged that the Premier League giants had their sights set on another prospect from that part of world in the form of Paez.
The midfielder does not turn 16 years of age until Thursday, but the playmaker has already been earning senior game time with his club.
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Paez has one goal and 330 minutes under his belt in the Ecuadorian top flight, strengthening the feeling that he could eventually become a star name to emerge from the country.
In the time around his debut earlier this year, it was widely reported that Chelsea were ready to push through a deal at the earliest opportunity in order to fend off rival interest.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the signing of the teenager has now been completed and is just awaiting a formal announcement.
FIFA rules dictate that Paez will be unable to link up with Chelsea until he turns 18 years of age in May 2025, leaving him to continue his development at Independiente del Valle.
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Nevertheless, it is said that Chelsea have agreed to pay up to €20m (£17.6m) for Paez, the majority of the fee allegedly coming in add-ons.
Chelsea's owners have made a sustained effort to sign a wide array of young players since their arrival, the plan seemingly being to have Mauricio Pochettino guide their development as head coach over the coming years.
That said, the latest deal may only impact Chelsea's strategy in the summer where they must sell numerous players in order to balance the books.
Although the Paez deal will not be immediately taken into account, it will need to be facilitated in future years, Chelsea under immense pressure to return to Europe for 2024-25.
Darren Plant
