Latest Manchester United transfer news.
Manchester United were already pursuing a summer signing of Sporting Lisbon right wing-back Geovany Quenda during his 17th year — a player that many consider to be one of Portugal's most promising up-and-coming players. With a release fee of around €40 million (£33 million), United were one of the first teams to be interested. But, following initial optimism and a personal connection with manager Ruben Amorim, the transfer has been lost — as Chelsea pipped Sporting to Quenda's signature.
Quenda: Sporting's Gem
Quenda also came up with his senior first-team appearance for Sporting CP this season, and at just 17 years old, he has shown flashes of brilliance on the right side of the pitch. Comfortable playing both as a wing-back and as an advanced winger, his pace, control, and tactical acumen have already made him one of Portugal's U17 team standouts.
Read more about him on Wikipedia.
Amorim's Ambition Meets Reality
United manager Ruben Amorim, who once coached Quenda at Sporting, was reportedly behind the Old Trafford transfer. Amorim considered Quenda an ideal long-term signing for a remodelled United outfit and was keen to bring the teenager back to Manchester. Quenda was even said to have verbally agreed a move to United. More from Football365.
But the transfer took a twist.
Chelsea's Smart Play
Chelsea did not merely meet Sporting's conditions, though. They one-upped them. Chelsea added a clause that United would not — to allow Quenda to remain for another year on loan in Lisbon. This enabled Quenda to continue developing his game in a venue he was familiar with — something both Sporting and the player were fond of.
Aside from that, Chelsea presented Quenda with a vision as an attacking player, unlike United's Amorim saw him playing as a wing-back. That stylistic compatibility may have been the decider.
Click here for more on the deal-breaker clause: United In Focus.
What's Next for United?
With Quenda out of the picture, United are now considering elsewhere. An option being weighed up is 18-year-old Braga winger Roger Fernandes — yet another talented winger with a similar profile. With his creativity and direct style of play, Fernandes could be United's next prized youth target for Amorim's United revival.
More on United's scouting of Fernandes can be accessed here.
Final Thoughts
Although being without Geovany Quenda is definitely a blow to Manchester United's summer planning, the accident serves to show the ruthless nature of the modern transfer business — especially for the best young players. Having Amorim's vision laid out and his revamped scouting system in place behind him, United do have time to shift course.
Stay with us for more details as the summer window unfolds and United look to sign the stars of tomorrow.
