Birmingham and Blackburn keen on Chelsea's Paez

Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers are both keen on signing Chelsea attacking-midfielder Kendry Paez in the January transfer window. The teenager, who has been tipped to potentially be 'better than Messi' by ex-Ecuador international Carlos Tenorio, is currently not part of the first team plans at Stamford Bridge and has yet to play a single minute this season.

Chelsea signed the Ecuadorian in 2025 in a deal worth £17.3 million, but he has yet to make his debut for the club. The Premier League side is seeking a loan move for Paez in the new year so he can gain valuable experience.

However, Birmingham and Blackburn will face competition from Scottish giants Celtic, who are also interested in signing the playmaker. Clubs from across Europe are also keeping tabs on his progress, including Trabzonspor and KV Mechelen, with the Belgian side having made an approach last summer.

Paez previously spent time on loan with Strasbourg, where he made 15 Ligue 1 appearances and scored once, before an early return from a loan spell with River Plate. Chelsea have been encouraged by his performances at underage level and are now seeking another loan deal.