While the Spanish press are convinced there will be a battle royale for Sporting star Geovany Quenda’s signature this summer, the Portuguese are adamant that there is already a deal in place with Manchester United.
The Red Devils are desperately in need of reinforcements on the flanks, with the likes of Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Antony, Facundo Pellistri, Mason Greenwood, Alvaro Carreras, Omari Forson, Tyrell Malacia and, potentially, Alejandro Garnacho all having left, or seeming to be close to leaving the club.
Meanwhile, only Patrick Dorgu has been brought in to bolster the dwindling wing-back/wing roster.
One of Europe’s most exciting prospects is the Portuguese youngster Geovany Quenda. United head coach Ruben Amorim is the man responsible for discovering the versatile starlet and giving him a chance to play in the first XI aged just 17 when the pair worked together at Sporting.
When joining United in October, Amorim made a promise to his old club that he would not poach any players this season. However, United’s need and their relationship seemed to make a summer deal almost inevitable.
The Peoples Person recently covered a story from A Bola in Portugal claiming that an agreement was indeed in place between all parties that would see the starlet become a United player in June.
Yesterday, the same outlet relayed Spanish paper AS’s claim that there will be a three-way tussle for Quenda in the summer, with PSG, Manchester City and Barcelona all ready to shell out €100 million to trigger his release clause.
“According to the same publication, in October, PSG’s market advisor, Portuguese Luís Campos, made the first inquiry with the player’s representatives to find out under what conditions he could sign him,” A Bola relays.
“In the conversations he also asked about Gyokeres, who has a termination clause of the same value as the Portuguese-Guinean, but the signing of the Swede was vetoed by the Parisian coach, Luis Enrique.”
However, A Bola dismisses AS’ claims, insisting that “despite this information relayed by the Spanish, Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United has already reserved Quenda for the summer, as A Bola has already reported.”
As for Gyokeres, with PSG out of the race, City hardly needing a centre forward and Barcelona seemingly pointing all their guns at Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, United may have a fairly clear run at him, although Arsenal have been credited with an interest.
One thing is for certain: the Red Devils certainly will not be paying the full €100 million for either player this summer, given their financial issues. A Bola claims a €60 million fee for Quenda has been agreed, but The Athletic’s David Ornstein says United are still trying to clinch the deal at €40 million.
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
