Chelsea have strengthened their pursuit of Europe’s best young talents by securing deals for two promising stars from Sporting Lisbon. The Blues have completed the signing of 17-year-old Geovany Quenda and are now set to welcome 20-year-old midfielder Dario Essugo to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea will pay £41 million for Quenda, who was also a top target for Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese wonderkid will remain on loan at Sporting until the summer of 2026 before officially joining the London club.
In addition to Quenda, Chelsea have agreed to pay £18.5 million for Essugo, who will sign a seven-year contract. The young midfielder is currently on loan at Spanish side Las Palmas, where he has made 17 La Liga appearances this season, further enhancing his reputation.
Essugo made history in December 2017 when he became Sporting’s youngest-ever player to feature in a Champions League match at just 16 years and 268 days, breaking the record previously held by Portuguese legend Luis Figo.
Chelsea had initially attempted to sign Essugo during the January transfer window but failed to reach an agreement. However, the Blues have now moved swiftly to secure the talented midfielder’s services ahead of the summer transfer window.
This double swoop is part of Chelsea’s ongoing strategy to build a squad filled with the best young talent in Europe. The Blues already signed Saint-Etienne midfielder Mathis Amougou in January, with the 19-year-old recently making his debut in the 4-0 win over Southampton.
Chelsea have also secured the signings of South American prodigies Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez, who will join the club in the summer. Quenda and Essugo are now set to join the next wave of young stars arriving at Stamford Bridge.
Sporting Lisbon manager Rui Borges remained tight-lipped about the deal but acknowledged Essugo’s rapid growth. “His progress has been natural, and it’s expected that big clubs will show interest. But I can’t comment on the deal until the club makes an official statement,” Borges said.