Chelsea are closing in on the end of Kendry Páez’s difficult spell at River Plate. Reports suggest the youngster will soon return to England. After that, he will head out on another loan.
After spending the past week training away from River’s first-team squad, the Ecuador international finally appears to have a clearer route out of a very uncomfortable situation.
Chelsea preparing for Páez’s return
Argentine journalist Juan Patricio Balbi reports Chelsea are now finalising Páez’s next loan move. As a result, this would allow River to terminate his current deal early.
The midfielder has been training with the club’s group of outcasts since returning from the World Cup. He had already been informed by manager Eduardo Coudet that he is no longer part of the first-team plans.
According to Ecuador’s Diario Extra, Chelsea’s roadmap now involves Páez returning to London on 9 August. He will rejoin the club before the next stage of his development is decided.
That would finally bring an end to his limbo in Argentina. Páez has remained there despite River making it clear they want to free both his loan place and a valuable foreign-player spot.
Turkey joins Belgium in race
The reports also point towards the first concrete destinations beginning to emerge. Belgian side KV Mechelen, who had already been linked with the 19-year-old, remain among the clubs interested in taking him on loan.
A new name has now entered the picture. Turkish side Trabzonspor also identified as a possible destination while Chelsea work on the next move.
Neither option is described as advanced enough to be completed immediately, but the appearance of specific clubs suggests Chelsea’s search is moving into a more concrete phase after weeks of uncertainty.
Following unsuccessful spells at Strasbourg and River Plate, the Blues know Páez’s next loan could prove the most important decision of his young European career.
For the first time in several weeks, there are signs that decision may not be far away.