Published on Mar 20, 2025
Chelsea Football Club has completed a $79M million double transfer from Sporting Lisbon, bringing in highly-rated youngsters Geovany Quenda and Dário Essugo. The Premier League side finalized the deal after weeks of negotiations, reinforcing their long-term squad-building strategy with two of Portugal’s most promising talents.
At just 17 years old, Geovany Quenda has already made a name for himself in Sporting’s first team. Chelsea will reportedly pay close to $55 million for the talented winger, who has been turning heads across Europe with his blistering pace and attacking flair. Despite interest from Manchester United, Chelsea moved quickly to secure his signature.
However, Quenda will not be arriving at Stamford Bridge immediately. As part of the agreement, he will remain with Sporting until the end of the 2025-26 season, allowing him to continue developing in Portugal’s top flight before making the switch to the Premier League.
The second signing, Dário Essugo, is a 20-year-old defensive midfielder who made history in 2021 by becoming the youngest player to ever feature for Sporting at just 16 years old. Chelsea have agreed to pay $24 million for the dynamic midfielder, who is currently on loan at La Liga side Las Palmas.
Essugo is expected to join Chelsea this summer and will provide additional depth in the midfield, possibly serving as a backup to Moisés Caicedo. His physical presence and tactical awareness make him a valuable asset for Chelsea’s future plans.
The double signing of Quenda and Essugo reflects Chelsea’s ongoing commitment to securing young talent for the long term. Over the past few seasons, the club has made significant investments in emerging stars, aiming to build a squad capable of sustained success in both domestic and international competitions.
Chelsea’s strategy under Todd Boehly has been to acquire highly-rated prospects before their value skyrockets, ensuring the team has a strong foundation for years to come. With these latest additions from Sporting, Chelsea continues to shape a future-focused squad while maintaining its competitive edge in the present.
As Chelsea fans eagerly anticipate the arrival of these exciting prospects, the club’s long-term vision is becoming clearer—invest in youth, develop top talent, and remain at the forefront of European football.
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