The reasons behind Chelsea’s successful acquisition of Geovany Quenda, surpassing Manchester United in the process, have been disclosed, along with details regarding the anticipated transfer fee, contract duration, expected arrival date, and the position Quenda will occupy.
Fabrizio Romano revealed the significant news early Friday morning, indicating that Chelsea has secured a prominent transfer agreement, outmaneuvering Manchester United. The Red Devils had been considering a move to bring Ruben Amorim together with Sporting CP’s Geovany Quenda.
Nevertheless, it is Chelsea that has decisively outperformed their domestic competitors by finalizing agreements with both Sporting and Quenda, in addition to conducting a discreet medical examination, which the player has successfully completed.
Following Romano’s initial report, reputable journalist David Ornstein provided further details.
In his article for The Athletic, Ornstein explained the factors influencing Quenda’s decision to move to London rather than Manchester.
According to the reporter, Chelsea acted swiftly to present a bid that Sporting found acceptable. The agreed-upon fee is believed to be in the range of €45 million to €50 million, or £38 million to £42 million.
Ornstein noted, “The fee is approximately €45-50 million, which is close to the amount Manchester United intended to offer while pursuing a deal for Quenda in January.”
In his previous report regarding United’s attempts a month and a half ago, Ornstein mentioned that Manchester United was aiming for a deal around €40 million or £33.5 million. Chelsea’s higher bid has ultimately proven advantageous.
Full details in Quenda coup revealed
Ornstein provided clarification on several important details of the agreement, starting with the timeline for Quenda’s arrival.
The 17-year-old will not be joining Chelsea this upcoming summer; instead, he is set to arrive at Stamford Bridge in July 2026.
Consequently, Quenda will remain in Lisbon for the remainder of this season and the entirety of the 2025/26 campaign before making the transition.
In terms of contract duration, Quenda has committed to a seven-year agreement that extends until 2033, with Chelsea including an option to extend the contract for an additional year.
During the final months of Amorim’s tenure at Sporting, Quenda primarily played as a right wing-back before his transfer to Manchester United. It was anticipated that he would return to that position if he reunited with Amorim at Old Trafford.
However, since Amorim’s departure, Quenda has mostly played as a winger, and according to Ornstein, Chelsea plans to utilize him in this more advanced position.
He noted, “Chelsea aims to position him as a traditional winger, as he is adept on both flanks, a role he has mainly filled since Amorim’s move to Old Trafford.”
Latest Man Utd, Chelsea news – Quenda repercussions for Sancho?
Notably, the announcement regarding Chelsea’s agreement to acquire Quenda, with plans to utilize him as a winger, coincides with reports suggesting that Chelsea may reconsider their pursuit of Jadon Sancho.
Currently, Sancho is on loan at Chelsea for the entire season, with a conditional obligation to purchase set between £22 million and £25 million. This obligation is activated if Chelsea secures a finish of 14th place or higher in the Premier League this season.
Although Chelsea has experienced a decline in performance during the latter half of the season, they remain in fourth place. Given that only ten matches remain, it seems highly unlikely that Chelsea will finish in 15th place or lower.
Consequently, a permanent transfer for Sancho to Chelsea appeared to be a certainty, a sentiment echoed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano in February.
However, according to recent information from the Daily Mail, Chelsea retains the option to withdraw from the agreement. Should they choose to do so, the club would face a ‘significant penalty.’
The Mail reported that there remains a chance Sancho could return to Manchester United this summer if Chelsea opts not to finalize the deal, although insiders indicate that this would involve incurring a considerable penalty as stipulated in their contract with United.
With Quenda set to join for the 2026/27 season and Sancho’s performance during his loan being underwhelming, it is plausible that the struggling winger may be sent back to Manchester United this summer.
IN FOCUS: Who is Geovany Quenda?
Quenda, born in Guinea-Bissau in April 2007, relocated to Portugal during his childhood and began his football journey with the Amadora-based club Damaiense at the age of eight. He later spent two years in the Benfica academy before transferring to their rivals, Sporting CP, in 2021.
In February 2024, he made his debut in a Liga 3 match against Amora, setting a record as the youngest player to represent Sporting’s reserve team at just 16 years old. His impressive speed and dribbling skills quickly attracted the attention of first-team manager Ruben Amorim.
“He is versatile, possesses significant quality, and displays a refreshing boldness. He provides us with another option,” Amorim remarked after including him on the bench for a Europa League match against Atalanta in March 2024.
Quenda has also excelled on the international front, as his performances for Portugal during the 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship earned him a spot in the Team of the Tournament. He made a memorable senior debut for Sporting by scoring against Porto in August 2024, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the club’s history at 17 years and 95 days, surpassing legends like Ronaldo and Simao.
Furthermore, he became the youngest Portuguese player to start a Champions League match during Sporting’s 2-0 victory over Lille in September 2024. Quenda has also received a call-up to the senior Portugal squad, remaining an unused substitute in their 2-1 victory over Scotland in the UEFA Nations League.
“The national team coaches emphasize that age is not a barrier. Quenda has demonstrated remarkable personality, quality, and adaptability,” stated Roberto Martinez. “He is a player who challenges defenders effectively and possesses technical skills that are exceptional for a 17-year-old. He is now part of Sporting’s first team and has exhibited extraordinary character.”
Since then, Quenda has made two appearances for Portugal’s Under-21 team, contributing an assist in a 2-1 victory against Andorra.
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