Manchester United are determined to try and secure a summer move treat for one of new coach Ruben Amorim’s former Sporting CP players sooner rather than later.
Amorim has now started working in Manchester after being named Erik ten Hag’s permanent successor earlier this month. His role is unlike any of his predecessors, but the Portuguese is expected to revolutionize the style of play while United’s thirst for highly-rated talent remains.
Geovany Quenda, just 17, has been increasingly linked with the Old Trafford club in recent weeks. The teenager was promoted to Sporting’s first team by Amorim at the start of this season and has already broken into Portugal’s senior squad but has yet to be called up.
A Ball has reported that United initially approached Sporting about Quenda before Amorim moved from Lisbon to north-west England. But they are now described as keen to secure the youngster’s signature “as soon as possible” in order for him to arrive in the summer.
united they are not looking to bring Quenda to Old Trafford in January – declared Amorim himself he will not attack his former club in the next transfer window but I couldn’t rule it out next summer. The right-winger is also unable to move before he turns 18 in April due to international transfer rules outside the EU and EEA nations, but a deal would ideally be completed before the summer
Quenda has a €100m (£83.7m) buyout clause in a contract signed two months ago that runs until 2027, while Sporting are expected to immediately reject anything to under €40m (£33.5m).
Portugal coach Roberto Martínez said of Quenda during this international hiatus: “More than a versatile player, he brings balance and technical ability, not just the position. He is a player with magic and can make the difference in the third final, with a spectacular future and his experience of being in the national team, whether he plays on the pitch or not, is important.”
