Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Sporting CP wonderkid Geovany Quenda, who has been tipped to replace Bernardo Silva at international level by the man himself
Ruben Amorim has reportedly given the go-ahead for a player who Bernardo Silva believes will be his international successor.
Manchester United have been linked with Sporting CP’s young star, Geovany Quenda, since Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford. Daily Star Sport reported how United are pushing to seal a summer deal after receiving Amorim’s approval.
Meanwhile, talkSPORT claim United have ‘verbally agreed’ personal terms with the player. Portuguese reports suggest a deal worth around £50million has already been agreed, although this has been disputed elsewhere with suggestions United are prepared to offer closer to £40m.
Manchester City and Liverpool have also shown interest in the young talent. However, his relationship with Amorim could give United an edge if a transfer battle ensues, reports the Mirror.
Highlighting their strong bond, Quenda thanked Amorim on social media following his move to United. While at Sporting, Amorim openly admired the teenager, describing him as a “very talented kid”.
He added: “[He’s] Very physically robust, very focused, with his feet firmly on the ground. That’s very important for a young player. He got his chance and there was no chance to take it away, no doubt, nothing. I think he’s going to be a great player, but let’s give it time.”
City’s Silva has heaped accolades on young starlet Quenda, reckoning that the talented player is set to nab his spot in the Portugal national team. He once candidly remarked: “He will probably steal my place. At 17, I wasn’t even playing for Benfica’s youth team.”
Before being poached by Sporting Lisbon in 2019, it was indeed Benfica where Quenda made his mark. Now a staple in Sportings first team, hes been making waves as a dynamic wing-back within their fluid 3-4-3 system.
Breaking records seems to be second nature for the youngster; in October, still under the wing of Amorim, he broke a record previously held by Cristiano Ronaldo becoming the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer at just 17 years, five months and 27 days.
Not stopping there, he went on to outdo another of Ronaldo’s achievements by being the youngest to play in the heated Lisbon derby. Quenda is fast encroaching upon Silva’s territory at international level.
He has already won call-ups for Portugal’s senior squad from boss Roberto Martinez for Nations League clashes against Croatia and Scotland last September, followed swiftly by his Portugal U21 debut in October.