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Chelsea have struck bargain signing with star 'already worth double' transfer fee
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly completed a transfer in the summer window that it is already expected to be a bargain signing.
Chelsea chiefs believe they have struck a bargain with the signing of 16-year-old wonderkid Kendry Paez, according to reports. The Blues feel the midfielder is already worth double the £17.3million package they've agreed to pay.
Chelsea again spent big in the summer transfer window. Owner Todd Boehly has surpassed the £1billion mark on new signings in just three windows since buying the Blues.
The American has not only targeted players for the present but also for the future. Teenagers Angelo Gabriel and Deivid Washington arrived from Brazil, with Diego Moreira joining from Benfica.
But perhaps the player Chelsea supporters are most excited about is Paez. However, they won't be able to see him in action until 2025 as FIFA rules state Premier League clubs can't bring in players from abroad until they are 18.
Chelsea announced the future agreement to sign Paez in June. His reputation has only grown since then, having already made 21 senior appearances for Independiente del Valle despite only turning 16 in May.
Paez also recently made his senior debut for Ecuador and scored in last Friday's World Cup qualifier against Bolivia. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says Chelsea have agreed to pay an initial fixed fee of £8.67m (€10m), with a further £8.67m in add-ons to take the total price to £17.3m (€20m).
However, he claims the Chelsea hierarchy already believe they have way underpaid for the young sensation. Blues chiefs feel Paez is actually worth up to double the £17.3m they could eventually pay.
Chelsea beat off interest from the likes of Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen to sign Paez. They feel they have signed a star of the future for a cut price.
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Paez discussed his potential move to Chelsea in an interview in June. He insisted he was excited to play with the likes of Enzo Fernandez but is currently focused on performing for his present club.
Paez told ESPN: "I don't feel pressure, I am focused on Independiente, on the Libertadores and on playing in the best way. To get there, I have to keep working, be focused on studying.
"It will be something special to share things with players like Enzo, with other special ones. It's wonderful, but now I'm focused on Independiente Del Valle.
"There are two years to go, I know it goes by quickly and I'll keep doing my thing here. I have things to improve and gain a lot of experience."