Chelsea have announced the signing of Sporting winger Geovany Quenda in a deal worth £40m. The 19-year-old has signed an eight-year contract and becomes the second arrival announced under new manager Xabi Alonso, following the £42m signing of Atalanta full-back Marco Palestra.

However, the Portugal under-21 international agreed to join Chelsea as far back as March 2025 during Enzo Maresca's 18-month spell in charge. Quenda is expected to be part of the first-team squad and is capable of playing in a number of positions, including as a winger, attacking midfielder and wing-back.

It is understood Quenda has spent the week training at Chelsea's Cobham base despite the first-team squad not being due to return until Alonso's first session on Thursday.

"It feels great to be here," Quenda said in his club announcement. "Chelsea is a great team and I am excited to play here at Stamford Bridge. The club has shown faith in players like me and I am proud to be here, proud to be part of this club.

"I am excited to work with my team-mates and the manager, Xabi Alonso. I'm a very hard-working young person and I like to help my team. I want to be someone known for having the right mentality to help my team-mates and who does their best for the club to win trophies."

The formal announcement of the transfer sees Quenda leave Portugal for the first time after making 86 appearances for Sporting, including 16 in the Champions League, having broken into the first team under former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have also held talks over a move for Rayo Vallecano full-back Pep Chavarria, explored the possibility of signing Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix and failed in their attempts to sign midfielder Granit Xhaka from Sunderland.

Sources in France and Argentina say Valentin Barco, who has already announced his departure from sister club Strasbourg, is set to join Chelsea as they look to strengthen their midfield options.

A number of players have already left Chelsea. Marc Cucurella has joined Real Madrid, Tyrique George has moved to Everton, while Andrey Santos is set to join Manchester United after a £50m deal was agreed on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have announced Jesse Derry, 19, has signed a new six-year contract and is now set to join Sporting on loan.

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