Ipswich Town plot move for £17m Chelsea player | OneFootball

Ipswich Town have been linked with Chelsea talent Kendry Páez

Ipswich Town are emerging as a possible destination for Chelsea youngster Kendry Páez.

Kieran McKenna’s side entered the 2025/26 campaign as one of the clear favourites to achieve promotion up to the Premier League, due to the sheer amount of quality within their squad.

The Tractor Boys got off to a slow start however, failing to win any of their first four league matches. Although their ability was clear to see in games such as their 5-0 hammering of Sheffield United, consistency appeared to be the main issue standing in Ipswich’s way of domination.

Slowly but surely, the Suffolk outfit have managed to improve in that department and now look to be one of the most likely challengers for the league title. After 25 matches, they trail current table toppers Coventry City by eight points while enjoying a game in hand on the Sky Blues.

With the winter transfer window now open, McKenna and Co. are reportedly scouring the market to see if they can give themselves an edge over their rivals during the second half of the season.

Ipswich Town could land Kendry Páez deal

Ipswich have been linked with numerous players during the early stages of the transfer window, with Sheffield United striker Patrick Bamford one rumour of note.

McKenna clearly wants to boost his creative options and that could come in the form of Páez.

According to journalist Mustafa Karataş via X, the attacking midfielder could be sent to Ipswich on loan this winter.

The 18-year-old has spent the first portion of this term at RC Strasbourg, but could see his time in France terminated early, having started just four Ligue One matches thus far.

It is reported that Páez would be expected to feature regularly if he made the move to Ipswich Town.

Chelsea signed the Ecuadorian in 2023 for over £17m when he was just 16 years of age, but he is still yet to have a taste of English football.

Kendry Páez may not be what Ipswich Town need

Although Páez clearly has bags of potential, he may not be the profile of player Ipswich need to sign this winter.

The 18-year-old hasn’t played much football this term and would no doubt need time to acclimatise to the English game.

In the midst of an important promotion battle, McKenna can’t afford the Chelsea youngster opportunities to bed himself in, especially in a division as competitive as the Championship.

Therefore, although signing Páez on loan is an exciting prospect, it may not be the Tractor Boys’ main priority this winter.