Friday, March 14, 2025

Chelsea transfer madness continues with ‘deal confirmed’ for second Portuguese star

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Chelsea have a ‘deal confirmed’ for a second Portuguese star following the signing of Geovany Quenda.

Chelsea have agreed a deal with Sporting CP for the transfer of Quenda, who had attracted interest from Manchester United.

The deal to bring the 17-year-old starlet to Stamford Bridge could be worth up to £40 million.

The youngster, who played under Ruben Amorim this season, is set to remain at Sporting next season before officially joining his new team in the summer of 2026 and is expected to sign a seven-year deal, with the option of an additional year.

Chelsea aren’t done there as they have another deal in place with Sporting for Dario Essugo, who is on loan at Las Palmas.

Essugo, 20, will join the Blues at the end of the season, according to CNN Portugal via Mais Futebol.

The transfer is believed to be worth £19 million, with the midfielder set to pen a seven-year contract.

He has made 17 appearances and scored one goal for Las Palmas this season.

Dario Essugo in action for Las Palmas. Image: Getty
Dario Essugo in action for Las Palmas. Image: Getty

So, Chelsea have recruited two Portuguese youngsters, with Quenda being likened to Arsenal star Bukayo Saka by one of his former Sporting youth coaches.

Fabio Roque, who coached Quenda in the Sporting academy, said: “When Amorim arrived, it was clear as water that Quenda could fit into that [3-4-2-1 formation] very well.

“He is so committed in defensive moments and defensive duels. He plays so well there because the space that he covers on the field is huge. Geo is so demanding with himself in the defensive moments.

“To close, to recover fast, to win the defensive duels for his team-mates. It reminds me of Bukayo Saka in the beginning of his career when he played as a full-back. There is only one Geovany Quenda.

“He is different from any other player I trained. He can create a mark on football that is totally different. We are talking about, with Lamine Yamal and Estevao Willian [set to join Chelsea in the summer of 2025], probably the best players in that generation born in 2007.”

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