The single biggest reason why Geovany Quenda chose Chelsea despite Man United effort

The biggest reason Chelsea managed to 'agree' a deal for Geovany Quenda is because they wanted to play him as a winger. Reports have emerged that the Blues have got a transfer in place for the 17-year-old to join from Sporting CP for between £37.8million and £42m in summer 2026.

Quenda, 17, has enjoyed a fine breakthrough season at Sporting. He was handed his first-team debut by Ruben Amorim in August and has cemented himself as an integral member of the squad. In total, Quenda has made 43 appearances across all competitions, scoring twice and adding eight assists.

His form has attracted interest from across Europe, with a move to Amorim's United looking almost certain at one point. United have been linked with a move for Quenda ever since it emerged that Amorim was leaving Sporting for Old Trafford in November, as the teenager continued to impress.

However, Chelsea have managed to hijack a potential move from United, with Quenda now expected to join Enzo Maresca's side instead after having a medical, according to Fabrizio Romano. The teenager, who doesn't turn 18 until April, is going to stay at Sporting until the end of the 2025/26 season before moving to Stamford Bridge.

And the reason Chelsea was able to pip United to his signature has since been revealed. Ben Jacobs has reported that the Blues have offered to play him as a winger rather than a wing-back - something that Quenda has placed as his preference despite Amorim's desire to reunite with the Portuguese talent.

"In addition to Chelsea being able to move faster than Man United because their finances are healthier comparative to Ruben Amorim's side, the other factor in all of this is that although Amorim knows Quenda well, he used the player at wing-back," Jacobs said on talkSPORT.

"Chelsea's pitch is very much 'you will play as a wide, an advanced winger capable of having opportunities on both sides'. He is a left-footed right winger but also enjoys playing on the other side as well, so slightly different football pitches and Chelsea able to move faster financially speaking."