Chelsea targets a young defender, planning a European loan for immediate development. A €6 million deal could see him follow a familiar strategy.
Yaimar Medina could be a new addition for Chelsea, but the English giant would send him on loan to another team.
Local media reports that Yaimar Medina has entered Chelsea's plans and that a formal offer could arrive in the coming days. The Ecuadorian fullback could sign for the English side but be loaned to another club.
Chelsea would impose the formula they used with Kendry Paez and could loan him to Racing Strasbourg in France. Both belong to the same BlueCo group, and Chelsea usually loans players so they can adapt to Europe; the other alternative is sending them to the Championship.
The left back, a former Ecuador national team player, is a starter at Genk, and the Belgian club's idea is to sell him after the 2026 World Cup, depending on whether he is called up by Sebastian Beccacece. The interest comes from the former Brighton scout who already wanted him when he was at Independiente del Valle.
Chelsea Set to Sign Ecuador Defender Yaimar Medina
His signing would be close to €6 million. Chelsea does not want Medina to have the same outcome as the Paez case, so they will provide special monitoring for the Ecuadorian.
The transfer of Yaimar Medina will generate income for Independiente del Valle. The Ecuadorian club retained a 15% share of his economic rights, as they do with every youth player they sell.
So far this season, Yaimar Medina has played a total of 26 matches across all competitions. He is one of his team's most consistent players, contributing 1 goal and 1 assist. The Ecuadorian footballer has logged 1,441 minutes on the pitch.
Currently, Yaimar Medina has a market value of €4 million. The Ecuadorian is under contract until 2029, and his departure would not be easy, but it could be financially covered by Chelsea.
Furthermore, a potential move to the Premier League would strengthen his chances of establishing himself with the Ecuador national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, where he is projected as one of the defensive options for his country's side.
Chelsea's interest confirms, once again, the growing prominence of Ecuadorian soccer on the international stage and the value European clubs place on its young talents.
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