Bombshell: River sign Chelsea’s 18-year-old Kendry Páez | OneFootball

The transfer market added an unexpected chapter this Wednesday with the arrival of Kendry Páez at River. The 18-year-old attacking midfielder, whose rights belong to Chelsea, comes to work under Marcelo Gallardo in what promises to be one of the most interesting additions to local football.

How did his arrival come about? Through a loan until December 2026, with no purchase option. He returns from Racing de Strasbourg, where he was on loan, and since Chelsea will not be using him, they opted to give him the freedom to gain experience in South America.

Despite playing 21 matches and scoring one goal in France, the Premier League club decided to terminate the loan that was due to expire in August 2026. It is worth remembering that Chelsea made a $25 million investment in 2023 to secure the jewel from Independiente del Valle when he was just 16 years old. However, after arriving in Europe last April, the young player has yet to make an official appearance for the Blues.

On the other hand, Páez's career with the Ecuadorian national team confirms his abilities: he shone in the youth categories (7 goals between U-17 and U-20) and quickly established himself in the senior team. Since his debut in 2023, he has recorded two goals and three assists in 23 appearances, becoming a regular part of Sebastián Beccacece's setup.

Worth considering: Chelsea has the option to recall him in the middle of this year, although TyC Sports also found out that River has a showcase right and will later attempt to extend the loan until June 2027. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Kendry is expected to arrive in Argentina on Thursday to sign with the Núñez institution.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.