Chelsea and Manchester United Club Crests
Chelsea are set to beat Manchester United in the transfer race (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea have reached an agreement with Sporting Lisbon to sign Portuguese winger Geovany Quenda ahead of Premier League rivals Manchester United.
Quenda, 17, has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford, especially since former Sporting boss Ruben Amorim left the club to take over at United.
Amorim gave the highly-rated teenager his Sporting Lisbon debut and was believed to be keen for a reunion at Manchester United.
It was even reported in January that United were close to striking a deal with Quenda, who was open to joining the club.
However, Chelsea have hijacked Manchester United’s move and are now set to win the race to sign a player who has been tipped to become one of the best in Europe and a star for the Portugal national team.
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Chelsea will pay Sporting Lisbon between €45-50m, according to The Athletic, and as part of the deal Quenda will remain at the Portuguese giants next season before moving to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2026.
Quenda has agreed a seven-year contract with the Blues, keeping him in west London until 2033, after undergoing a secret medical in recent days.
The Portugal U21 star is comfortable on either flank and often played as a right wing-back under Amorim, though he is expected to be deployed as a winger by Chelsea.
Quenda could make more than 50 appearances for Sporting Lisbon this season, having played in ten of their Champions League games.
The player is believed to have held encouraging talks with Enzo Maresca before agreeing to join Chelsea ahead of long-term admirers Manchester United.
Quenda will return to action for Sporting on Saturday evening against Famalicao, with Rui Borges’ side currently three points clear at the top of the Primeira Liga.
His future club, Chelsea, visit London rivals Arsenal on Sunday as they look to boost their top-four hopes.
The Blues are aiming to qualify for the Champions League after falling away in the title race, while they are the short favourites to win the Europa Conference League.
More to follow…
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