Chelsea is aiming to partner with one of the biggest clubs in South America, with the intention of exchanging talent between both clubs in search of developing future stars.
Since Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali became the new owners of Chelsea, the London club has continued to expand globally. They did so by purchasing the French side Strasbourg under the BlueCo consortium and are now on the verge of closing a historic agreement with a major South American club.
According to ESPN Argentina, the “Blues” and River Plate are in advanced negotiations to form a long-term strategic partnership between the two institutions, designed to provide them with sporting and economic benefits.
The main intention is for there to be an exchange of young talent in both directions. The idea is that River’s top prospects could have the opportunity to make the jump to Chelsea smoothly, with the path cleared to reach the Blues’ first team or, if that option is not possible, go out on loan to Strasbourg.
Additionally, the English club would have a right of first refusal on the Argentine club’s players and would be able to match any offer that arrives for them at the Monumental.
This whole idea of the partnership between the two clubs comes after the loan of Ecuadorian player Kendry Paez to River Plate in the past winter transfer window. The 18-year-old was on loan at Strasbourg but had few minutes with the Ligue 1 side. Chelsea, the player’s owner, decided to break the agreement with the French club and send him to Argentina to play regularly under Eduardo Coudet.
The Paez deal was the key precedent for Chelsea and River to get to work and be on the verge of a historic agreement between the two clubs. The English and Argentine sides will be very satisfied with the prospect of exchanging players from their squads as needed, but there is a high likelihood that the alliance will not sit well with the other teams.
The high number of young talents under Liam Rosenior in London, who have few opportunities, have become luxury targets for River. And both Boehly and Eghbali are open to loaning them out to increase their value before they return to the first team. Or, in the worst-case scenario, sanctioning a multimillion-dollar sale for them.
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