Chelsea have swooped in to snatch one of Manchester United’s key transfer targets, according to a major update from Fabrizio Romano.
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During the January transfer window, Ruben Amorim secured Patrick Dorgu from Lecce and Ayden Heaven from Arsenal for United. ..Continue Reading
However, the 13-time Premier League champions remain in dire need of a squad rebuild, with reports suggesting a deal was in place for Amorim’s top target.
While Amorim had previously ruled out signing players from his former club Sporting CP, Portuguese outlet A BOLA reported that United had reached an agreement to sign 17-year-old winger Geovany Quenda.
The highly-rated talent made his debut under Amorim in August 2024, becoming Sporting’s youngest-ever goalscorer.
Amorim praised Quenda as “very talented” and “very mature,” and in September, the player signed a contract increasing his release clause from €45 million to €100 million.
Just when it seemed United had secured the deal, Romano revealed early Friday morning that Chelsea had outmaneuvered their rivals, announcing a “here we go” on the transfer.
He reported that Quenda had completed a medical during a “secret blitz” and will remain at Sporting for another season before officially joining Chelsea in 2026.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, Romano said: “Chelsea agree deal for Portuguese top talent Geovany Quenda, here we go!
“Medical DONE for Quenda after secret blitz, he will join Chelsea in 2026. Club to club agreement completed with Sporting and Quenda said yes to Chelsea project & Enzo Maresca’s plans.”
Shortly after, David Ornstein of The Athletic confirmed the agreement, revealing a transfer fee between €45 million and €50 million, with Quenda signing a seven-year contract running until 2033.
Chelsea also hold an option to extend Quenda’s deal by an additional year, intending to primarily deploy him as a winger.
Capable of playing as a wing-back, Quenda has made 43 appearances for Sporting across all competitions and earned a call-up to the Portugal national team in August.
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez described him as having a “spectacular future,” and Manchester City star Bernardo Silva has also praised his impressive abilities.
“It is impressive to see the level Quenda is at at this age,” Silva said in a September press conference.
“I didn’t play for Benfica’s youth team. It wasn’t for the juniors, it was for the youth team. I didn’t play for Benfica’s youth team. Seeing him at 17 years old representing Sporting and the national team, it is because he deserves it and has the skills to be here.
“If he continues, he will certainly reach greater heights than he is at now.”
