Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has reportedly stated his intent to sign Sporting Lisbon teenager Geovany Quenda this summer.
Amorim was the man who brought the 17-year-old into the Sporting first team at the start of the season, and he is now a regular in the side, while also receiving a first senior Portugal call-up.
With a fair chunk of the season still to play, Quenda has already played 40 matches for the Primeira Liga leaders this season, contributing to seven goals from a variety of wide positions.
Quenda's versatility could be hugely useful to Amorim, who remains committed to implementing his 3-4-3 system on his Man United side.
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Quenda high on Man United's transfer shortlist
The Daily Star claim that Amorim is urging the Man United board to meet Sporting Lisbon's demands for the wide man, which could be deemed as something of a snip for a player of his age.
It is believed that a bid of £35m will be enough for Sporting to allow the youngster to join his former manager at Old Trafford in the summer.
Amorim has already spent a similar figure on a young wide player, after Patrick Dorgu joined from Lecce in the final few days of the transfer window, and has instantly become a regular at left wing-back.
With some deadwood expected to be shifted in the summer, bringing in a versatile player such as Quenda could prove to be a smart move, especially with Man United lacking options in almost every area of the pitch at present.
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Why would Quenda be well-suited to a Man United move?
Marcus Rashford and Antony are just two of players expected to leave the club on permanent deals in the summer, which would mean Amorim is short in wide options.
Captain Bruno Fernandes and Joshua Zirkzee are also not best utilised either side of striker in the front three that Amorim is currently attempting to implement, with the one natural wide option, Alejandro Garnacho, seemingly slightly out of favour.
Quenda played in that position numerous times for Sporting under Amorim earlier in the season, and should seamlessly fit into the system should he make the move to the Premier League.
However, Quenda is also often utilised at wing-back, meaning he could battle with Diogo Dalot for a spot on the right, and with Dorgu on the left, especially as Luke Shaw could be another player on his way out of the club.
Quenda is set to be in action again for Sporting on Thursday night, when they go to Gil Vicente in the Taca de Portugal quarter-finals.
Andrew Delaney
