Chelsea secure deal for Sporting midfielder Dario Essugo

Chelsea have finalised a deal for Sporting CP midfielder Dario Essugo, completing a swift double signing of Portuguese talent.

The confirmation of Essugo’s transfer follows closely on the heels of Chelsea’s acquisition of Geovany Quenda from the same club.

The Blues successfully convinced the 17-year-old to reject Manchester United’s interest, largely by agreeing to let him remain on loan at Sporting for the upcoming season.

However, Chelsea have different plans for Essugo. The combative 20-year-old, currently on loan at Las Palmas, is set to be integrated directly into Enzo Maresca’s first-team squad once his £18.5million transfer is finalised this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Dario Essugo has been offered a seven-year contract with an option for an extra year

To accommodate Essugo, Chelsea plan to send Mathis Amougou – another highly-rated midfield prospect who joined in February – on loan to their sister club, Strasbourg, in France’s top flight.

Despite FIFA’s crackdown on the amortization loophole that Chelsea previously exploited to spread transfer costs over lengthy contracts, Essugo has still secured a long-term future at Stamford Bridge.

The Portugal U21 international is expected to sign a deal running until June 2032, with an option for a one-year extension.

He is being earmarked as the understudy to Moises Caicedo, whose defensive presence has been vital for Maresca’s side, particularly in compensating for the team’s inconsistent attacking output.