Chelsea have hijacked Manchester United’s move for one of their top targets, as per a bombshell dropped by Fabrizio Romano.
Rúben Amorim made two signings for Manchester United in the January transfer window, bringing in Patrick Dorgu from Lecce and Ayden Heaven from Arsenal. However, with the club in dire need of a squad overhaul, strong reports suggested they had secured Amorim’s top transfer target.
Despite initially stating he wouldn’t target 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 youngster, who made his debut under Amorim in August 2024, became the youngest goalscorer in Sporting’s history.
Amorim praised Quenda as “very talented” and “very mature,” and in September, the winger signed a new contract that increased his release clause from €45 million to €100 million.
However, just when it seemed United had secured the deal, Fabrizio Romano reported early Friday morning that Chelsea had swooped in and hijacked the transfer, delivering his signature “here we go” confirmation.
Fabrizio Romano revealed that Geovany Quenda had already completed his medical after a “secret blitz,” with the young winger set to stay at Sporting for another season before officially joining Chelsea in 2026.
On X (formerly Twitter), Romano announced:
“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, The Athletic’s David Ornstein confirmed the deal, reporting that Chelsea will pay between €45 million and €50 million for the 17-year-old, who has signed a seven-year contract until 2033, with an option for an additional year. Chelsea plan to deploy Quenda as a winger, though he is also capable of playing as a wing-back.
Quenda has already made 43 appearances in all competitions for Sporting and earned a Portugal national team call-up in August.
Man City star gives his seal of approval
Portugal manager Roberto Martínez has backed Quenda to have a “spectacular future,” while Manchester City and Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva has also praised the teenager’s potential.
“It is impressive to see the level Quenda is at at this age,” Silva said in a press conference last September.
“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.”
