Chelsea have secured the signing of Sporting Lisbon prodigy Geovany Quenda in a £41 million deal, with the 17-year-old set to remain on loan at Sporting until the summer of 2026. Despite speculation, Manchester United made no formal attempt to rival Chelsea for the Portuguese sensation.
Quenda has been making waves in Ruben Amorim’s Sporting side, excelling in the right wing-back role within the 3-4-3 formation. When Amorim moved to Manchester United last November, many expected him to pursue a reunion with Quenda, but United’s interest never progressed beyond informal discussions.
According to the Manchester Evening News, United met with super-agent Jorge Mendes last year, but talks failed to advance. United’s January signing of Patrick Dorgu from Lecce for £25 million, who plays in a similar position, influenced their decision not to pursue Quenda further.
Chelsea, on the other hand, wasted no time in adding Quenda to their growing list of young stars, which already includes South American talents Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez. Quenda will continue his development at Sporting before making the switch to Stamford Bridge in 2026.
Sporting manager Rui Borges believes Quenda is making a “natural” step to a bigger club, given his rapid growth in Portugal. Borges acknowledged the pressure the teenager is facing but praised his mentality and potential to thrive at the highest level.
“He’s been growing quickly, and sometimes we forget he’s only 17,” Borges said. “It’s natural that big clubs will come for him. He has to learn to handle the attention and keep improving.”
Quenda made his senior debut for Sporting at just 16 under Amorim and has since established himself as one of the brightest young prospects in Europe. His versatility, being a left-footed player who can operate on either flank, makes him an ideal addition to Chelsea’s future plans.
While United opted to strengthen their left side with Dorgu, Chelsea’s proactive approach secured them one of Portugal’s most exciting young talents, further solidifying their long-term recruitment strategy.