Club director insists Chelsea paying ‘smaller amount’ for signing – Keeping 15% of rights, won’t reveal actual price

With Chelsea and Independiente Del Valle this week confirming the transfer of Kendry Paez, we’ve seen many stories from the English and Ecuadorian media speaking about the price for this move.

Since many claims said the signing cost the Blues US$20m (£16m), that would be by far a record transfer for the South American club.

That’s a reason for Independiente del Valle director Santiago Morales to dismiss those claims today. The club chief was interviewed by Mach Deportes (via ESPN) and claimed that Chelsea did not pay that much for the move.

“Because of what the country is experiencing, I would not dare to give the amounts for the transfer of Kendry Paez to Chelsea, but it is not the 20 million that is being talked about, it’s a smaller amount, he said.

ESPN’s story points out that Morales also confirmed Independiente Del Valle managed to keep 15% of a future transfer.

Kendry Paez is just 16-years-old and will only turn 18 in 2025. That’s when we shall see him completing the move to Chelsea.

The youngster is already featuring for Independiente Del Valle’s first team, and is undoubtedly one of the most promising talents in South America these days.

Following the success of Moisés Caicedo, Pervis Estupiñán and Jeremy Sarmiento at Brighton & Hove Albion, that will be another exciting Ecuadorian player arriving in the Premier League.