Real Valladolid closing in on signing Kenedy

Kenedy is reportedly in Spain to finalise a move to La Liga club Real Valladolid as he closes in on leaving Chelsea before the transfer deadline.

According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Kenedy seems to be the subject of interest from Real Valladolid over a deadline-day move in the ongoing transfer window. The Chelsea wide man is in Spain to finalise his switch to the newly-promoted La Liga club.

Kenedy joined Chelsea nearly seven years ago but has never managed to nail down a spot for himself in the first-team squad. The Brazilian wide man joined the Blues in August 2015 after a successful trial. But he has actually been at Stamford Bridge for only one full season, his debut campaign in England.

The 26-year-old has made just 30 appearances for Chelsea while chipping in with three goals and four assists. Kenedy has embarked on five loan spells away from Chelsea, with the stints with Newcastle United and Granada being the most fruitful periods. But he does not feature in Thomas Tuchel’s plans for the 2022/23 season, with the Blues ready to sell him. And Real Valladolid could sign Kenedy late in the window.

Real Valladolid returned to La Liga at the end of the 2021/22 season, and Pacheta has had an uphill task at his disposal to steer his team clear of the relegation zone in the 2022/23 campaign. The Albivioletas have been slow off the blocks in the new term and are looking for deadline-day deals to bolster their squad.

Kenedy is set to leave Chelsea — he is already in Spain with his agents in order to complete his move to Valladolid. ?? #DeadlineDay pic.twitter.com/vzFfsLLmck

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 1, 2022

Kenedy has thus emerged as a viable target for Real Valladolid amid interest from other La Liga clubs like Cadiz. But the interest from the newly-promoted La Liga club makes sense, considering the Chelsea wide man was impressive during his stint with Granada in the Spanish top flight.

With Chelsea eager to offload him before the transfer deadline today, Kenedy is already in Spain to finalise a move to Real Valladolid. The 26-year-old can bolster Pacheta’s full-back options or even play higher up the pitch.

With Kenedy’s departure, Chelsea will continue the clear-out project that has already seen them terminate Ross Barkley’s contract. It will be interesting to see if Kenedy seals his return to La Liga by joining Real Valladolid in the coming hours.