Chelsea football club have successfully hijacked Manchester United’s long-standing pursuit of Portuguese sensation Geovany Quenda in a dramatic turn of events.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Quenda will join Chelsea in 2026, marking a big blow to Manchester United’s transfer plans under manager Ruben Amorim.
Quenda, a highly versatile 17-year-old winger and wing-back, had been heavily linked with Manchester United since Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford.
Amorim had previously worked with Quenda at Sporting CP and was keen to reunite with him at United.
The Portuguese media had described Quenda’s transfer to Manchester United as “inevitable,” with reports suggesting that United had “reserved” the player for a summer move.
However, Chelsea’s swift and secretive negotiations have secured Quenda’s future at Stamford Bridge.
The club has completed a club-to-club agreement with Sporting Lisbon, and Quenda has agreed to join Chelsea, endorsing the project led by manager Enzo Maresca.
A medical examination has also been successfully completed, solidifying the deal.
This unexpected twist is a significant setback for Amorim’s plans at Manchester United.
Amorim had identified Quenda as a key target, valuing his ability to fit seamlessly into United’s 3-4-3 system.
The manager’s influence was a major factor in Quenda’s initial interest in joining United, but Chelsea’s aggressive pursuit has now altered the course of events.
United’s financial constraints, coupled with the need to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules, made securing Quenda a challenging task.
The club had been exploring ways to finance the transfer, including potential player sales, but Chelsea’s decisive action has left United without one of their top summer targets.
This development shows Chelsea’s growing ambition in the transfer market, as they continue to attract top young talent to bolster their squad for the future.
Meanwhile, Manchester United will need to reassess their transfer strategy and explore alternative options to strengthen their team under Amorim’s leadership.
