Chelsea have reportedly completed a deal to sign Sporting CP midfielder Dario Essugo on the same day that they snapped up his compatriot Geovany Quenda from under Manchester United’s nose.
Earlier on Friday, it emerged that Chelsea managed to sign Quenda, who was strongly linked to United and believed to be guaranteed to reunite with Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford in the summer.
Quenda will however not join Chelsea immediately. He will link up with the Blues in 2026 and sign a seven-year contract.
Now, it has been claimed Quenda isn’t the only Sporting player they’ve snatched from United’s reach. According to CNN Portugal, Enzo Maresca’s side have sealed a deal for Dario Essugo, who was mentioned to be on the Red Devils’ radar.
A previous report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that United were in pursuit of Essugo. The 20-year-old is currently on loan at Las Palmas from Sporting.
He has been a regular for the relegation-threatened La Liga side this season, making 17 top-flight appearances. Essugo has scored just once in that period.
The defensive midfielder has caught the eye with his dominant performances in midfield and has even been linked to the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona. Essugo’s average of 4.8 tackles and interceptions per 90 is the best return of any midfield regular in La Liga so far this term.
CNN Portugal notes that the United target will arrive in West London this summer and will put pen to paper on a seven-year deal. Essugo will cost Chelsea €22m.
This information has been corroborated by A Bola, who explain, “Deal done. Dario Essugo will be a Chelsea player next season. The transfer with the Blues was finalised in the last few hours with the Lions receiving a fixed €25 million (without variables).
“A very significant payment for the defensive midfielder, who was trained at Alvalade and has been in great form this season at the Spanish club Las Palmas.”
However, journalist Ben Jacobs reveals that the transfer is not necessarily done, as talks between Chelsea and Sporting are ongoing.
Jacobs wrote on X, “Chelsea are also in talks with Sporting for 20-year-old defensive midfielder Dário Essugo, who is currently on loan at Las Palmas. Deal not done yet but club-to-club talks are taking place.”
Chelsea are also in talks with Sporting for 20-year-old defensive midfielder Dário Essugo, who is currently on loan at Las Palmas. Deal not done yet but club-to-club talks are taking place.🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/pzrRAXJP8n
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) March 14, 2025
Nevertheless, it certainly seems like Chelsea have beat United to the services of the highly rated youngster.
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Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
