Chelsea sign Sporting Lisbon duo Quenda and Essugo in £62.5m deal

Chelsea have completed the signings of Geovany Quenda and Dario Essugo from Sporting Lisbon in a deal worth approximately £62.5 million ($81 million).

The Portuguese club confirmed the transfers on Wednesday, with 17-year-old winger Quenda joining for just under £44 million and defensive midfielder Essugo, 20, moving for £18.5 million.

Quenda, who had been linked with former Sporting manager Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, will remain in Portugal for another season before moving to Stamford Bridge. Essugo, meanwhile, will finish the current campaign on loan at La Liga side Las Palmas before linking up with Chelsea.

The signings are part of Chelsea’s ongoing strategy of recruiting emerging talent. Brazilian forward Estevao Willian and Ecuadorian midfielder Kendry Paez, both 17, are also set to join the club ahead of next season.

Quenda has established himself in Sporting’s first team, making his Champions League debut in September and scoring his first league goal against Famalicao in October. Essugo has impressed as a defensive midfielder and could provide competition for Moises Caicedo in Chelsea’s squad.

Chelsea, backed by co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, have continued their heavy investment in young players as they push for Champions League qualification. The Blues currently sit fourth in the Premier League.

(Source: AFP)