Chelsea reaches multimillion agreement with Sporting for transfer in 2026

Several media outlets, including The Athletic, reported on Friday that Chelsea has reached a significant agreement with Sporting Portugal for the transfer of Geovany Quenda.

The highly rated 17-year-old winger, who has been making waves in Portuguese football, will continue his development at Sporting for another season before making the move to Stamford Bridge in July 2026. The reported transfer fee is expected to be between €45 and €50 million, making him one of the most expensive young talents to leave the Primeira Liga in recent years.

Quenda’s rise to prominence has been nothing short of impressive. Initially regarded as a traditional winger, he made his professional breakthrough under Rúben Amorim at Sporting, who utilized him as a wingback. His ability to adapt to this role at such a young age showcased his tactical versatility, work rate, and technical quality traits that have made him an attractive prospect for Europe's elite clubs. His performances caught the attention of several major teams, with Manchester United where Amorim now manages also expressing strong interest in acquiring his services. However, despite the natural connection between Quenda and his former coach, Chelsea has successfully won the race for his signature.

While Sporting was keen to hold onto the player for as long as possible, Chelsea’s long-term project and aggressive recruitment of young talents played a decisive role in convincing both the club and the player. The London club has been building a squad with a strong emphasis on youth development, as seen with recent signings such as Andrey Santos, Kendry Páez, and Angelo Gabriel. Quenda’s arrival is seen as another step in Chelsea’s strategy to secure the best young players before they explode onto the global stage.

Although Quenda’s professional breakthrough came as a wingback, Chelsea’s scouting and coaching staff primarily see him as a winger. His explosive pace, dribbling ability, and attacking mindset align with the club’s long-term vision of having dynamic and creative wide players. With his ability to beat defenders one-on-one and deliver quality balls into the box, he fits the profile of a modern attacking winger capable of making an impact in the Premier League. The club believes that by focusing on his attacking strengths rather than his defensive responsibilities, they can unlock his full potential in the years to come.

The decision to allow Quenda to remain at Sporting for another season is also seen as a strategic move. Sporting has a proven track record of developing young talent, with players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, and Rafael Leão emerging from their ranks before making moves to top European leagues. By staying in Portugal for an extra year, Quenda will gain more first-team experience in a competitive environment while continuing to refine his game before joining Chelsea in 2026. This approach mirrors Chelsea’s handling of other young signings like Kendry Páez, who will arrive from Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle in 2025 after turning 18.

Quenda has already demonstrated maturity beyond his years, showing a level of composure and decision-making that is rare for players of his age. His ability to read the game, adjust his positioning, and contribute both offensively and defensively makes him an exciting prospect for Chelsea. The Premier League club is expected to closely monitor his development over the next two seasons, ensuring a smooth transition when he eventually arrives in London.

Chelsea’s acquisition of Quenda is another statement of intent from the club’s ownership and recruitment team. Since the takeover by Todd Boehly’s consortium, the club has been aggressively investing in young talents with the aim of building a long-term squad capable of sustained success. With Quenda now part of that project, Chelsea’s future attacking options continue to look promising.

While it remains to be seen how he will develop in the coming years, one thing is clear Chelsea is betting big on Geovany Quenda’s potential, and if his rapid rise at Sporting is anything to go by, the young Portuguese talent could soon be making headlines in the Premier League.