How Chelsea convinced Geovany Quenda to snub Man Utd interest | OneFootball

Chelsea outmanoeuvred Manchester United to snap up Geovany Quenda by accepting more of Sporting CP's demands than the less flexible Red Devils, according to a report.

The Blues sprung an early surprise ahead of this summer's transfer window when numerous outlets revealed their acquisition of Quenda. The fleet-footed 17-year-old broke into Sporting's first team under Ruben Amorim, who had been widely tipped to bring the Portugal international to Old Trafford this summer. However, it would not prove to be so simple.

Chelsea's long-term thought process underpinned this deal, with the club's willingness to loan Quenda back to Sporting for the 2025/26 season seen as a key factor to their success, according to The Athletic. Neither Manchester United nor another unnamed Premier League suitor were willing to agree this stipulation. As Sporting are bracing themselves for more departures this summer - namely their sought-after striker Viktor Gyokeres - they were unwilling to lose too many stars.

Enzo Maresca's plan to play Quenda as a winger in his favourite 4-2-3-1 system appealed to the natural attacker who had been shoehorned into a wing-back role by Amorim at Sporting. Chelsea's positioning in England's capital was also described as a "factor".

Geovany Quenda has only made 43 appearances in his entire senior career thus far / Gualter Fatia/GettyImages

While news of Quenda's move came as a surprise to the wider public, Chelsea had reportedly spent "two to three months" tracking Quenda. At the same time, Sporting had been engaged in "extensive talks" with Manchester United, who were said to be "confident" in securing a deal. Yet, the Red Devils never tabled an official offer.

Quenda's final fee - which doesn't entitle Sporting to any add-ons, bonuses or proportions of future transfers - is said to be €40m (£33.8m). United were quoted a higher price of €60m as they were insistent on bringing Quenda to Manchester this season. This sum prompted hesitancy at a club currently engaged in extensive cost-cutting measures.

Chelsea were not content with one highly vaunted youngster from Sporting. On the same day that Quenda's arrival was unveiled, reports in Portugal claimed that the Blues sealed a deal for midfielder Dario Essugo.