Todd Boehly’s determination to have more footballers in his collection than Panini has once again been in evidence today as Chelsea have sealed a deal for yet another promising youngster.
Fabrizio Romano has issued his famous “here we go!” for a second time this week to announce the Blues’ capture of a talented teenager who looked to be bound for Manchester United.
The transfer guru posted “BREAKING: Dario Essugo to Chelsea, here we go! Agreement done with Sporting and medical completed.
“€22m transfer fee for 20 year old midfielder to join #CFC THIS summer and be part of the first team.
“Essugo will sign a 7 year deal.”
🚨 BREAKING: Dario Essugo to Chelsea, here we go! Agreement done with Sporting and medical completed.
€22m transfer fee for 20 year old midfielder to join #CFC THIS summer and be part of the first team.
Essugo will sign a 7 year deal. 🇵🇹🤝🏻
Quenda joins in 2026 for €48m fee. pic.twitter.com/pLBwo3R29D
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 15, 2025
The Peoples Person relayed CNN’s claims yesterday that Chelsea had sealed the deal, but this has now been corroborated by the ever-reliable Romano, who also confirmed yesterday’s stated fee and contract length details.
United’s part-owners Ineos will be shifting uncomfortably in their seats as the light dawns on them that Boehly has hatched a master plan to undermine their own.
Given United’s dire financial status, Ineos have made it their mission to sign the world’s top young talent and already made a start with the likes of Chido Obi, Ayden Heaven, Sekou Kone and Diego Leon.
However, Chelsea could be out to prove that they can easily thwart the plan if they get wind of United’s targets, as they can offer bigger transfer fees and longer contracts than the Red Devils can afford to match.
Sporting CP youngsters are an obvious place to start as Chelsea would know United’s head coach Ruben Amorim will likely want to harvest the talent available at his former club.
United will have to keep their cards very close to their chest where other deals are concerned if they want to avoid the same thing happening over and again.
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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.
