**Kendry Paez is being prepared for another loan move after Chelsea decided the midfielder requires another season of regular first-team football.**
KV Mechelen and Trabzonspor are both interested in signing the Ecuador international.
[TEAMtalk reports](https://www.teamtalk.com/chelsea/kendry-paez-chelsea-transfer-latest) that Paez’s spell with River Plate is being ended early. The 19-year-old is expected to return to Cobham at the beginning of August before Chelsea choose his next destination.
Mechelen have reportedly contacted Chelsea about taking Paez to Belgium. The club believe he can strengthen their options as a number 10 or right-sided attacker.
Trabzonspor are also considering an approach after manager Fatih Tekke approved their interest. Chelsea would prefer to keep Paez in Europe, provided his next club can offer consistent senior minutes.
The decision follows two difficult temporary spells during his first year as a Chelsea player. Paez initially joined Strasbourg for the 2025/26 season, but that agreement was cut short after he struggled to secure a regular place.
Chelsea then sent him to River Plate in January. Paez scored once but made only a limited number of starts during a period of managerial change in Argentina.
The Blues remain committed to the midfielder, whose contract runs until 2033. Their reported plan is to give him another full season away before assessing whether he can join Xabi Alonso’s first-team squad in 2027.
[ReadChelsea previously assessed the importance of Chelsea finding the correct development route for Paez](https://readchelsea.com/2026/06/25/kendry-paez-chelsea-xabi-alonso-development-test/). His talent remains clear, but another unstable loan would leave the club facing further questions over how one of their leading young signings is being managed.
Mechelen may provide a clearer pathway to regular football, while Trabzonspor would expose Paez to greater pressure and expectation.
Chelsea must prioritise minutes over the reputation of his next destination. After two interrupted spells, stability has become the most important part of the Kendry Paez loan decision.