Fabrizio Romano: Chelsea Strike £33.5m Deal After Man Utd Talks Collapse | OneFootball

Chelsea Secure Stunning Transfer Coup Over Manchester United

Chelsea have successfully pulled off an incredible transfer hijack, swooping in to secure Portuguese wonderkid Geovany Quenda from under the noses of Manchester United. Reports in Portugal had suggested that the move to Old Trafford was all but done, but a late blitz from Chelsea saw them emerge victorious in the race for one of Europe’s most exciting young talents.

How Chelsea Outmaneuvered Manchester United

Manchester United had been closely monitoring Quenda for months, with manager Ruben Amorim reportedly keen on a reunion with his former Sporting CP star. Having already made moves to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window by signing Patrick Dorgu for the left wing-back position, United appeared to have wrapped up a deal for Quenda to provide depth on the right flank.

Portuguese outlet A Bola even went as far as claiming: “Manchester United have already grabbed Quenda for the summer.” However, Chelsea were working quietly behind the scenes, and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed that they have won the race for the teenage sensation.

Romano took to social media to break the news:

This revelation has left Manchester United fans stunned, as the club had been confident of securing the 17-year-old’s signature.

What Chelsea’s Deal for Quenda Looks Like

Details on the transfer fee Chelsea will pay Sporting CP have yet to be officially disclosed. However, past reports provide some insight into the numbers likely involved.

Quenda’s contract at Sporting CP includes a significant €100m (£84m) release clause, though it was widely expected that a deal could be agreed for far less. Sporting reportedly valued Quenda at around €60m (£50.3m) on the open market. Some sources even suggested that Manchester United were working on a deal in the region of €40m (£33.5m) before Chelsea intervened.

While the final fee remains unclear, what is certain is that Chelsea and Sporting CP have already agreed on a club-to-club arrangement, and Quenda himself has committed to the move. The teenager is set to officially join the Blues in 2026, rather than immediately, giving him more time to develop in Portugal before making the switch to the Premier League.

Why Quenda Is Such a Sought-After Talent

Born in Guinea-Bissau in April 2007, Quenda moved to Portugal at a young age and began his footballing journey with Damaiense. After a brief stint in Benfica’s academy, he joined Sporting CP in 2021 and quickly established himself as a future star.

In February 2024, he made history by becoming Sporting CP’s youngest-ever reserve team player at just 16 years old. His electric pace, outstanding dribbling ability, and positional versatility made him a player of interest for several top European clubs.

Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim, who handed Quenda his first-team debut, spoke highly of the young talent:

Quenda’s meteoric rise continued on the international stage, where he played a starring role in Portugal’s UEFA European Under-17 Championship campaign. His performances earned him a place in the Team of the Tournament, further cementing his status as one of the brightest prospects in European football.

His senior career also got off to a record-breaking start. Quenda became Sporting’s youngest-ever goalscorer in August 2024 when he netted against Porto at just 17 years and 95 days old, surpassing club legends such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Simao Sabrosa. The teenager continued to make history by becoming the youngest Portuguese player to start a Champions League match in Sporting’s 2-0 victory over Lille.

His rapid development also caught the attention of Portugal’s senior national team. Although he was an unused substitute in Portugal’s UEFA Nations League win over Scotland, national team manager Roberto Martinez praised his ability:

What Quenda’s Move Means for Chelsea

By securing Quenda, Chelsea have once again demonstrated their ability to attract elite young talent. The move aligns with their recent transfer strategy of investing heavily in emerging stars, ensuring a strong pipeline of talent for the future.

With Enzo Maresca taking charge, Quenda will have a clear development plan and pathway into Chelsea’s first team. His ability to play as a wing-back or an attacking midfielder provides tactical flexibility, making him a valuable asset for the club’s long-term vision.

For Manchester United, this represents a significant blow. Having tracked Quenda for months, they now find themselves losing out on a player they believed was secured. Whether they will look elsewhere for reinforcements remains to be seen.

Chelsea fans, meanwhile, have every reason to be excited. With Quenda set to arrive in 2026, the Blues have added another future star to their ranks in what could prove to be one of the most significant transfer coups of the year.