River Plate’s loan deal for Chelsea youngster Kendry Páez includes a ‘surprising clause’ in favour of the Argentine side.
That’s according to El Intransigente, who relay information from journalist Renzo Pantich regarding the deal today.
Páez joined the Argentine giants on loan from Chelsea at the end of the January transfer window. The club expect the 18‑year‑old to stay until next summer.
He had been at Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg after coming to Europe last summer. The Blues had previously snapped him up as a youngster but had to wait to bring him to Stamford Bridge.
Strasbourg struggles
He struggled in France, though, with just one assist in 21 games and 718 minutes of action. That saw Chelsea change strategy, bringing him back before sending him to River Plate. Sport Witness covered that move late in the window.
Now Pantich brings a little more information on the deal. He reports that the agreement with Chelsea includes a ‘surprising clause’ in favour of River Plate.
According to his information, while the loan doesn’t include an option to buy, it does include a condition stopping Chelsea from having ‘free rein’ to bring him back when they want.
“Kendry Páez’s buy-back option is only activated if he doesn’t play in 50% of the matches for River Plate,” he said.
Chelsea have to wait
El Intransigente say this means Páez will remain at River until December if he plays the minimum required minutes. That’s a ‘crucial’ factor for the club and their plans for the second half of the year.
Manager Marcelo Gallardo has already started using him as it is. Far from holding him back, he’s giving him playing time. His intention is clear; for the youngster to gain rhythm, adapt and become a valuable asset.
That knowledge further helps the plan, as Chelsea simply can’t pull him back to Stamford Bridge whenever they like.