Who is Geovany Quenda? Chelsea ‘beat’ Man United to €50m signing

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Made Sporting CP history 

©TM/IMAGO

In a dramatic development, Chelsea have hijacked Manchester United’s move for Geovany Quenda to seal a deal for the Sporting CP starlet, according to the Athletic. The versatile winger has been on the radars of top European clubs since his eye-catching breakthrough in Portugal with Ruben Amorim keen on reuniting at Old Trafford. 

But Chelsea have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Quenda in 2026 for a fee around €50m with personal terms also sorted. The 17-year-old is prodigiously talented and highly regarded in Portugal and he was expected to follow in the footsteps of fellow wingers Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo in moving from Sporting CP to Old Trafford but it appears Chelsea have won the race.

Who is Geovany Quenda?

Quenda was born in Guinea-Bissau but moved to Portugal as a child and he actually progressed through Benfica’s youth academy before moving to Sporting CP in 2021. The winger developed a glowing reputation as he progressed through the youth levels at the Lisbon club and he became the youngest ever player to represent their reserve team last February, aged just 16. Amorim had included Quenda in first-team training last season but he enjoyed his breakthrough campaign in 2024/25. 

The Portuguese youth international was handed his professional debut in August and became the club’s youngest ever scorer after netting on debut. Although naturally a right-winger, Quenda has played as a right-wing back in Amorim preferred 3-4-3 formation and his adaptation has been impressive. Sporting’s front three of Pedro Gonçalves, Viktor Gyokeres and Trincão have been in sensational form, so Amorim has been unwilling to change a winning formula while allowing Quenda to gain first-team experience in a new role. His talents and potential have already caught the eye of Portugal manager Roberto Martinez and he was called up to the senior squad last year but he’s yet to make his debut.

How good is Geovany Quenda? 

Quenda is widely regarded as one of, if not the, best young talents in Portugal and he’s enjoyed a stratospheric rise this season. He surpassed Cristano Ronaldo and Simao to become Sporting’s youngest ever scorer in the Portuguese top-flight when he netted against Famalicao last year. He only gained his first ever market value in October 2024 but he was installed as the fourth most valuable player in the world, born in 2007.

As the graphic below illustrates, Quenda only ranks behind Barcelona duo Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí, plus Chelsea-bound attacker Estêvão. The Sporting starlet is very left-footed and naturally cuts in from the right and he possesses incredible strength, quick-feet and pace for his age. Stylistically, Quenda resembles Jeremy Doku in the way he can beat defenders with ease and he’s currently the third most successful dribbler in Liga Portugal. 

Gonçalo Tristão Santos, Transfermarkt’s Portuguese Content Manager, believes Quenda is destined for the very top in the future. “Quenda is currently the most talented player from Sporting’s youth academy and one of the most exciting Portuguese players today,” Santos said. “Although he is only 17 years old, he is already a regular starter for Sporting and played as a right-winger in Amorim’s 3-4-3 system. He is a dynamic and very fast player who easily leaves opponents behind.”