Chelsea youngster Kendry Paez is reportedly close to joining Turkish side Trabzonspor on loan as the Premier League club prepares to bring another disappointing temporary spell to an early end.
According to TyC Sports, negotiations between Chelsea and Trabzonspor are progressing and the Ecuador international could soon make the switch to Turkey. The move would represent the latest chapter in an increasingly unsettled period for the highly rated 19-year-old.
Paez joined Chelsea from Independiente del Valle in a deal agreed in 2023, officially linking up with the London club after turning 18. Rather than immediately entering Chelsea’s first-team plans, however, the attacking midfielder has spent the majority of his time developing away from Stamford Bridge.
His first loan spell, at Strasbourg, was cut short in January after he made 21 appearances and scored once. He subsequently moved to Argentine giants River Plate, initially on a deal running through the end of 2026.
That arrangement now looks set to be terminated prematurely, with Paez reportedly struggling to establish himself as a regular starter at River.
Paez’s time in Argentina has yielded limited returns. Available career records credit him with 12 appearances and one goal for River, highlighting the difficulties he has encountered in securing a consistent role.
The latest reports suggest CHELSEA are therefore seeking another environment in which the youngster can regain his form and fulfil the potential that made him one of South America’s most highly regarded prospects.
Trabzonspor has emerged as the leading destination, with reports indicating that Chelsea are maintaining negotiations with the Turkish club over a loan agreement.
A move to Turkey would give Paez another opportunity to establish himself in senior football and potentially secure the regular playing time that has proved elusive during his previous two European and South American loan spells.
For CHELSEA, meanwhile, the priority will be finding a setting capable of accelerating Paez’s development after successive temporary moves have failed to produce the expected breakthrough.
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