OFFICIAL: Chelsea complete blockbuster €74m double deal for Geovany Quenda & Dario Essugo

Chelsea continue with their transfer policy of signing young players. The Londoners have closed the signing of Geovany Quenda and Dario Essugo, both from Sporting Lisbon, for 74.5 million euros. The Lisbon club announced the move on Wednesday afternoon, so this transfer can be considered official.

The economic split of each of these operations is 52.5 million euros for the right winger Quenda and 22 million euros for the defensive midfielder Essugo, who is currently playing on loan at UD Las Palmas in La Liga.

Quenda has been one of the sensations of this season at Sporting de Portugal. He has played 44 games for the Lisbon club, has started 36 times and has scored 2 goals and provided 6 assists. As for Essugo, his time in Spanish football can be summed up in 17 games, all of them as a starter, and one goal. He also had previous sporadic appearances in Sporting's first team and played on loan at Portuguese side Chaves in the 2023-24 season.

Although already agreed, Quenda's move will take place by the end of the 2025-26 season, meaning he will not arrive at Stamford Bridge for another year and a half. The versatile winger had attracted the interest of multiple English clubs, but especially Manchester United, where his until recently coach Ruben Amorim coaches. Meanwhile, Dario Essugo will arrive in London at the end of the 2024-25 season.

These two additions are part of Chelsea's recent transfer policy. The Blues, after years of signing established players without being able to get a good return from them, have decided to try to attract young talent. Willian Estevao and Kendry Paez, two of the most promising players in South American football, will also join the club in the summer.

It is hoped that Dario Essugo will be able to join Enzo Maresca's team in time to participate in the upcoming Club World Cup.