Chelsea have flown under the radar to agree a shock deal worth about €50m (£42.1m) for the Sporting winger Geovany Quenda, who was a target for Manchester United.
The 17-year-old attacker played for Ruben Amorim at the Lisbon club and was widely expected to link up with his former manager at Old Trafford. But Chelsea have swooped in, with sources saying Quenda will move to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2026.
Quenda joined Sporting at 13 and has made 43 appearances. He is regarded as one of the most exciting young players in Europe and moving for him is further evidence of Chelsea’s determination to stick to their youth-driven project. Chelsea are also trying to sign the 20-year-old midfielder Dario Essugo from Sporting.
Chelsea’s owners, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, have focused on building a talented young squad since buying the club three years ago. They have handed out long, heavily incentivised contracts and there is huge anticipation about the arrival of the Brazilian prospect Estêvão from Palmeiras this summer. Estêvão has been named in the Brazil squad for the first time. Chelsea have also signed the 17-year-old Ecuadorian Kendry Páez.
