Manchester United reportedly never went as far as submitting an official bid for Sporting Lisbon's Geovany Quenda, who is now bound for Chelsea.
Following the appointment of Ruben Amorim as Erik ten Hag's successor in the autumn, the Red Devils were naturally tipped to raid the Portuguese's former club either in January or the summer.
Exciting wing-back Quenda was said to have been a prominent name on Man United's shortlist, but bombshell reports emerged on Friday claiming that Chelsea were closing in on his signature.
The Blues are said to have agreed a £40m fee for the 17-year-old following a 'secret blitz', and he will spend the 2025-26 season on loan at Sporting before moving to Stamford Bridge on what could end up being a seven-year contract.
Chelsea's unexpected swoop for Quenda raised questions about how Man United let the 2007-born product slip through their hands, but according to the Manchester Evening News, the Red Devils never firmed up their initial interest.
Man United 'never made official bid' for Quenda
© Imago
The report stresses that Man United did hold talks with Quenda's agent Jorge Mendes in November, but the Red Devils did not go further than 'informal discussions' with the teenager's representative.
The 20-time English champions apparently wanted to wait a little while longer before making their final decision on a deal for Quenda, before eventually agreeing to sign Patrick Dorgu from Lecce.
Dorgu's January arrival is said to have 'impacted' the club's plans for Quenda, who is competent on both the right and left-hand side but has played more on the latter flank in the second half of the 2024-25 season.
The 17-year-old would have been a natural fit for Amorim's 3-4-3 system in the left wing-back position, but Chelsea - who play with four at the back under Enzo Maresca - are supposedly planning to use him as an out-and-out winger instead.
Quenda has already registered two goals and eight assists in 43 matches for Sporting, and he has been called up to the Portugal squad for their Nations League double-header with Denmark this month.
Chelsea 'closing in' on £58.6m double Sporting deal
© Imago
As well as stealing Quenda from under the noses of Man United, Chelsea are also said to be on the verge of signing another Sporting player in a £60m double swoop with the 17-year-old.
CNN Portugal claims that an accord has been reached for the Blues to sign 20-year-old midfielder Dario Essugo, who will also join on a seven-year deal for an £18.6m fee.
Essugo is currently on loan at La Liga outfit Las Palmas, where he has set up one goal in 17 Spanish top-flight matches in the 2024-25 season, playing as both a number six and number eight.
Quenda and Essugo's future club are back in action on Sunday afternoon against Arsenal, where a win at the Emirates would take them to within three points of the Gunners in the Premier League table.
Ben Knapton
