Manchester United is making significant strides to secure the signing of Sporting CP’s rising star Geovany Quenda, tipped by Bernardo Silva as his natural successor at the international level. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports United's proactive measures to finalize the deal this summer. The anticipated move has reportedly received the endorsement of new boss Ruben Amorim, who is eager to incorporate Quenda as part of his squad rebuilding efforts.
While some outlets may claim personal terms have already been agreed upon, others suggest the deal remains up for negotiation. The 18-year-old winger, having dazzled many with his performances, has not only caught United’s attention but also rivals like Manchester City and Liverpool. This adds competitive tension to what could potentially be one of the summer's most talked-about transfers.
Ruben Amorim's appointment at United seems timely, as it lays the groundwork for tapping his networks within Portuguese football, which could position Quenda as one of the first significant signings under the new regime. Reflecting on Quenda’s talents, Amorim openly praised the young player during his tenure at Sporting. He stated, “He’s very physically strong, very focused, with his feet firmly on the ground. That’s very important for a young player. He got his chance, and there was no chance to take it away.”
Quenda not only has Amorim’s backing but has also been recognized by Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, who enthusiastically stated, “He will probably steal my place. At 17, I wasn’t even playing for Benfica’s youth team.” Before seizing his current prominence, Quenda made his mark at Benfica before moving to Sporting Lisbon. Now, he is making strides within the club's first team, demonstrating exceptional ability as part of its fluid 3-4-3 formation.
Notably, Quenda has already begun to break records within Sporting, becoming the youngest ever goalscorer at just 17 years, five months, and 27 days, thereby surpassing records once set by Cristiano Ronaldo. To add to his accolades, he also made history as the youngest participant in the highly competitive Lisbon derby.
On the international stage, Quenda is inching closer to Silva’s position within the Portugal national team. He has received call-ups from coach Roberto Martinez for Nations League matches against Croatia and Scotland and made his Portugal U21 debut shortly thereafter.
Romano's insights are corroborated by talkSPORT, which claims United has verbally agreed on personal terms with Quenda. The financial parameters of the transfer continue to be debated, with Portuguese outlets indicating figures around £50 million have been discussed, though some reports lean toward estimates of around £40 million. Given the interest from other top clubs, Amorim's established relationship with Quenda could give United the necessary edge if rival clubs intensify their interest.
With the summer transfer window approaching, all eyes will be on Quenda, whose future seems increasingly likely to land at Old Trafford, provided Manchester United can finalize negotiations amid intense competition. Quenda's swift rise, coupled with the prospect of playing for one of the most storied clubs in English football, paints a captivating picture for fans and analysts alike. Will he follow through, or will rival teams sway him to their ranks?