CHELSEA are set to snap-up 15-year-old star Kendry Paez, but he can’t join for the club for three years, according to reports.
The deal for the wonderkid is worth a supposed £17.5million.
And he can only join the club in 2025, when he turns 18-years-old.
Chelsea have supposedly been in talks with the player since February, claims journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Paez is an attacking midfielder and one of the most highly-rated young talents in South America.
Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund were both keen on him as well as Chelsea.
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He currently plays for Independiente del Valle in his homeland of Ecuador.
Despite his young age, Paez has played in the first-team three times, scoring one goal.
He is not the first young player that Chelsea have spent big money on.
The Blues secured the signing of Brazil Under-20s captain Andrey Santos in the summer for £18million.
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The central midfielder, 18, is set to join from Vasco da Gama when a work permit is cleared.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are focused on appointing a new manager after the sacking of Graham Potter.
The likes of Luis Enrique, Maurcio Pochettino and Julian Nagelsmann have been linked.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk