Chelsea agree transfer for wonderkid as Todd Boehly repeats trick in blow to Liverpool

Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Ecuadorian wonderkid Deinner Ordonez, who was also a target for Premier League rivals Liverpool, and will join the club in 2028

Chelsea have struck a deal to bring in young centre-back Deinner Ordonez from Ecuadorian team Independiente del Valle, Mirror Football understands. The Blues' newest recruit, who was also on Liverpool's radar, is set to join in 2028 as part of their strategy to invest in South American talent. Chelsea have recently signed up-and-coming stars from Brazil, including Estevao Willian, Andrey Santos, and Angelo Gabriel.

Under the guidance of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, the club has consistently targeted talented teenage prospects with long-term potential. The decision to sign 16-year-old Ordonez aligns with their model of identifying and nurturing talent early, whilst allowing players to continue their development in familiar surroundings before making the move to European football.

The west London club's recruitment efforts in South America are among the most advanced in the Premier League. Chelsea's scouting network has been strengthened in areas such as Brazil and Ecuador, ensuring the club remains at the cutting edge in identifying the next wave of talent.

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Chelsea have a strong relationship with Independiente del Valle, where Blues midfielder Moises Caicedo began his youth career before transferring to Europe with Brighton and Hove Albion in 2021. Ordonez was also reportedly on the wish list of Chelsea's Premier League rivals Liverpool.

The Premier League champions were said to be among the top European clubs keeping tabs on him. Liverpool's scouting department, spearheaded by sporting director Richard Hughes and backed by the club's youth recruitment network, had reportedly identified Ordonez as one of the most promising talents in South America.

Scouts have reportedly hailed him as the best player of his age group on the continent. However, Liverpool have missed out on securing his signature, with Chelsea poised to bring him to Stamford Bridge in three years' time.

Chelsea are third in the Premier League after beating Wolves 3-0 last weekend. Manager Enzo Maresca said: "We are happy with the performance,' the Blues head.

"I was very worried before the game because these are always tricky matches, but in the first half and second half, we created so many chances and didn’t concede anything. Even in the first half, I was happy with the performance, and the difference between the first and second halves is that in the second we scored goals and in the first we missed many chances.

"You need to be clinical, otherwise the game is always open and anything can happen. In the second half, we scored three goals, could’ve scored more."

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