Chelsea are seeking a new loan destination for Ecuadorian midfielder Kendry Paez after prematurely ending his spell with River Plate, according to TEAMtalk. The 19-year-old is attracting interest from KV Mechelen of Belgium and Trabzonspor of Turkey as the club prioritizes regular first-team football for his development.
Paez initially joined Chelsea from Independiente del Valle in the summer of 2025 following a pre-contract agreement signed two years prior. He arrived with a growing reputation as one of South America’s most promising young talents, having already earned 27 senior international caps for Ecuador. However, his integration into European football has been gradual.
A previous loan spell at Strasbourg, a club with ties to Chelsea’s ownership group, was cut short due to limited playing time. This led to a mid-season move to River Plate in January 2026, but Paez struggled to establish himself in the starting lineup in Argentina, making only a handful of starts and scoring one goal amid managerial changes.
Chelsea intend for Paez to return to their Cobham training ground in early August before arranging another temporary move, with a preference for a club within Europe. KV Mechelen have reportedly made contact with Chelsea, viewing Paez as a versatile attacking option capable of playing as a number 10 or on the right wing. Trabzonspor manager Fatih Tekke has also approved a potential loan approach for the player.
Chelsea remain committed to Paez’s long-term development, with his contract extending until 2033. The club hopes that a successful loan spell will allow him to regain confidence and sharpness, paving the way for integration into the first team squad next season. Discussions with interested clubs are expected to progress in the coming weeks, as Chelsea seek the ideal environment for the young Ecuadorian to flourish.
