Chelsea have hijacked Manchester United’s move for one of their top targets, as per a bombshell dropped by Fabrizio Romano.
Ruben Amorim’s January transfer window at Manchester United saw only two arrivals – Patrick Dorgu from Lecce and Ayden Heaven from Arsenal. However, the Red Devils desperately need a more comprehensive squad overhaul, and recent reports suggested they had secured a deal for Amorim’s priority target.
Despite Amorim initially stating he wouldn’t raid his former club Sporting CP for talent, Portuguese publication A BOLA claimed United had finalized arrangements to sign 17-year-old winger Geovany Quenda – a promising prospect who made history as the youngest goalscorer for the Lisbon giants.
Amorim previously described the teenage sensation as “very talented” and “very mature.” In September, Quenda signed a new contract that substantially increased his release clause from €45 million to €100 million, highlighting how highly rated he is by Sporting.
Just when it appeared Manchester United had secured their target, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano dropped a bombshell early Friday morning, reporting that Chelsea had successfully hijacked the deal with his signature “here we go” confirmation.
Chelsea’s Secret Transfer Coup for Portuguese Wonderkid
According to Romano, Chelsea executed a “secret blitz” to secure Quenda’s signature, with the young star having already completed his medical examination. The arrangement will see Quenda remain at Sporting for development purposes before joining the Blues in 2026.
Romano revealed on social media: “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.”
The versatile youngster, capable of playing as a wing-back, has already accumulated 43 appearances for Sporting across all competitions. His rapid development didn’t go unnoticed by Portugal’s national team setup, earning him a call-up in August – remarkable progress for a player of his age.
High Praise from Football’s Elite
Quenda’s talent has received endorsements from some of football’s most respected figures:
- Portugal national team manager Roberto Martinez believes the teenager has a “spectacular future” ahead
- Manchester City star Bernardo Silva has been particularly impressed by Quenda’s development
“It is impressive to see the level Quenda is at this age,” Silva remarked during a September press conference. “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.”
Silva added: “If he continues, he will certainly reach greater heights than he is at now.”
This transfer coup represents another significant youth acquisition for Chelsea’s long-term project, while Manchester United must now look elsewhere to strengthen their squad under Amorim’s leadership.
Want to stay updated on the latest football transfer news and wonderkid signings? Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive insights and breaking transfer updates delivered straight to your inbox!