Chelsea have terminated Kendry Paez’s River Plate loan early and are negotiating with KV Mechelen and Trabzonspor for his next season-long move.
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Kendry Paez’s loan at River Plate is effectively over. Fresh transfer news reveals Chelsea higher-ups are hunting a new club for the young Ecuadorian. After a tough spell in Argentina, two European sides now want him on loan this season.
Chelsea end Kendry Paez’s River Plate loan early
Chelsea have chosen to end the brief loan spell of Kendry Paez at River Plate early. As reported by TEAMtalk, the Blues have left Kendry Paez in limbo as his River Plate exile goes on. He returned to training after his World Cup break. However, the player has not rejoined the main squad. Instead, he was placed in a separate training group with the players who are leaving. This move signals that River Plate no longer plans to use the youngster.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are delaying the formal termination of the contract. This delay has sparked rumours that the London side wants to secure his next club first. The club expect the youngster to return to Cobham in early August to train before planning his next move.
Moreover, River Plate want a quick resolution because the teenager occupies a crucial foreign-player registration slot. This issue puts the player in a tough spot as discussions go on.
Kendry Paez for Riverplate in 2026, as per FOTMOB:
Competitions Matches Goals Assists Minutes Played
Liga Profesional 10 1 0 361
Copa Sudamericana 4 0 1 102
Why Kendry Paez’s progress has stalled?
Chelsea signed Paez from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle in 2023 before he officially joined the club in 2025 after turning 18. Since then, the Ecuadorian has endured two fruitless loan spells during his young career. First, Strasbourg was where he played in July 2025. However, that deal ended early in January 2026. As per FOTMOB, he played 21 games and scored 1 goal.
He then joined River Plate. Unfortunately, he failed to secure regular match time as the club were going through a managerial change. In the Argentine League, he started only 3 matches out of 10 league games, scoring once. He recorded an average rating of 6.69, winning 49.0% of his duels and completing 50.0% of his dribbles.
Meanwhile, serious concerns have also emerged over the attitude of Kendry Paez off the pitch. As reported by Yahoo Sports, reports highlight a poor attitude in training, a lack of professionalism and an active nightlife. Critics argue that he must take greater responsibility for his own growth. He must uphold discipline and let his football do the talking.
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Chelsea’s vision for the Ecuadorian teenager
Despite these setbacks, two European clubs have emerged as frontrunners to sign the playmaker. Belgian club KV Mechelen have reached out to the Premier League club. They see him as a dynamic addition on the wing or in midfield. The Belgian League can be the ideal place for his growth under a less stressful environment.
Meanwhile, Turkish club Trabzonspor are pushing hard for his signature. As reported by Turkish Football, Trabzonspor have started talks for a 12-month loan with no option to buy. They offer him a key role as their primary central playmaker. They are also willing to cover a major portion of his wages.
The leadership at Stamford Bridge prefers a move to Europe to help him regain form. This next move is crucial for the long-term vision of the English club. Stamford Bridge directors will remain committed to the teenager, who has a contract until 2033. They plan to assess his progress and integrate him into the senior squad in 2027.
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