Sporting Lisbon winger Geovany Quenda is “being monitored” by Manchester United, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Speaking to Casino.org (quotes via FourFourTwo), Romano said that, while there is no active interest in goal machine Viktor Gyokeres, the Red Devils are watching his teammate:

“Viktor Gyokeres is an obvious link but at the moment I’m not aware of any sort of negotiation, as Man United will discuss strikers situation later in the next months and this is not a current hot topic.”

“Remember also that on Gyokeres, there are several clubs keen to do business there. Geovany Quenda is also being monitored by Manchester United scouts, he’s considered a top talent, but it’s a little too early to say what might happen next.”

Quenda is being pursued by several teams

It was initially reported in the Portuguese media last month that United had sent scouts to watch the teenager in action. Since then, though, the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Juventus have also been credited with an interest.

Sporting are unlikely to sell Quenda for a low fee and the player is protected by a sizeable release clause, which is believed to be worth €100m (£83m); the same as Gyokeres’s.

United could sign him as a replacement for Antony

Quenda is left-footed but Ruben Amorim deployed him almost exclusively as a right wingback during his time in charge of Sporting. The 17-year-old could play a similar role for the Red Devils if Amorim keeps using his tried and trusted 3-4-3 system.

Considering Antony would not be suited to the wingback position, it could be that Quenda has been identified as the Brazilian’s replacement. For now, it seems that United have not advanced their interest in Amorim’s former player beyond initial scouting but it is something to keep an eye on.

Find out who is in Manchester United’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here