Manchester United reportedly did not progress to the stage of making an official offer for Geovany Quenda of Sporting Lisbon, who is now set to join Chelsea.
After Ruben Amorim was appointed as Erik ten Hag’s successor in the fall, it was anticipated that the Red Devils would target players from the Portuguese club, either in the January transfer window or during the summer.
Quenda, an exciting wing-back, was believed to be a key target on Manchester United’s radar. However, surprising reports surfaced on Friday indicating that Chelsea was nearing an agreement for his transfer.
The Blues are said to have reached a £40 million deal for the 17-year-old following a ‘secret blitz,’ and he is expected to spend the 2025-26 season on loan at Sporting before officially moving to Stamford Bridge, potentially on a contract lasting up to seven years.
Chelsea’s unexpected acquisition of Quenda has raised concerns about how Manchester United allowed this promising talent, born in 2007, to slip away. However, the Manchester Evening News has reported that the Red Devils never solidified their initial interest in the player.
Man United ‘never made official bid’ for Quenda
The report highlights that Manchester United engaged in discussions with Quenda’s agent, Jorge Mendes, in November; however, these conversations remained at the level of ‘informal discussions’ and did not progress further with the teenager’s representative.
The 20-time English champions reportedly preferred to delay their final decision regarding a potential deal for Quenda, ultimately opting to sign Patrick Dorgu from Lecce instead.
Dorgu’s arrival in January is believed to have influenced the club’s strategy concerning Quenda, who is adept at playing on both the right and left flanks but has predominantly featured on the left side during the latter part of the 2024-25 season.
The 17-year-old would have seamlessly integrated into Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation as a left wing-back; however, Chelsea, who utilize a four-defender setup under Enzo Maresca, are reportedly intending to deploy him as a traditional winger.
Quenda has already made an impact this season, scoring two goals and providing eight assists in 43 appearances for Sporting, and he has received a call-up to the Portugal national team for their Nations League matches against Denmark this month.
Chelsea ‘closing in’ on £58.6m double Sporting deal
In addition to securing Quenda from under the watchful eyes of Manchester United, Chelsea is reportedly close to finalizing a deal for another player from Sporting, executing a £60 million double transfer involving the 17-year-old.
According to CNN Portugal, an agreement has been established for Chelsea to acquire 20-year-old midfielder Dario Essugo, who is set to join the club on a seven-year contract for a fee of £18.6 million.
Currently, Essugo is on loan at La Liga team Las Palmas, where he has contributed one assist in 17 matches during the 2024-25 season, playing in both the number six and number eight positions.
The future clubs of Quenda and Essugo will compete again on Sunday afternoon against Arsenal, and a victory at the Emirates would bring them within three points of the Gunners in the Premier League standings.
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