Liverpool and Manchester United have suffered a major transfer blow after Chelsea agreed a €20 million (£17.5m) deal for 15-year-old wonderkid Kendry Paez.
The teenager has set pulses racing in Ecuador, where he has caught the eye of several Premier League scouts playing for Independiente del Valle.
While European giants Real Madrid were also said to be keeping tabs on the attacking midfielder.
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Paez has already made three first team league appearances for his club, scoring a magnificent chip on his debut.
Indeed, Chelsea were said to have reached a verbal agreement with the player last month, with Stamford Bridge emerging as his most likely destination.
Paez to Chelsea
Chelsea look to have sealed a deal once and for all, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirming the news on Sunday.
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Their fresh bid marks a marginal improvement from the reported £14.8million bid made earlier in the year, which was rejected by the Ecuadorian club.
However, Paez will not actually join the Blues for another three years, with the player only legally permitted to leave for England once he turns 18 in 2025.
The news will come as a blow to Liverpool who had allegedly spoken to the representatives of Independiente over a potential transfer, according to 90min. While Manchester United were also sniffing around.
Paez's move marks another step in Todd Boehly's major rebuild, with the West London club eager to invest in youth this season.
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Chelsea secured the signing of Brazil Under-20s captain Andrey Santos in the summer for £17.5million.
While they also poached 19-year-old Omari Hutchinson from Arsenal in the summer for a fee in the region of £1.5 million.
Topics: Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Todd Boehly, Football, Transfers
Joe Adams