Chelsea Football Club has made it clear that they will only let their Portuguese international, Renato Veiga, leave the club on a permanent deal. The club values the 21-year-old at more than £20 million and is not considering any loan offers for him.
Veiga is reported to have agreed to join German football club Borussia Dortmund during the current transfer window. However, while Dortmund hopes to negotiate a loan move for Veiga, sources close to Chelsea insist that this won't be happening. The London-based club will only consider selling him if their valuation of over £20 million is met.
Veiga joined Chelsea from Swiss team FC Basel for £12 million last summer. Despite his short tenure at Stamford Bridge, his value has significantly increased due to add-ons and his performance.
Veiga's desire for regular football
While Chelsea hasn't been actively trying to sell Veiga, it's understood that he is eager for more regular playtime. This desire stems from his ambition to secure a place in Portugal's national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup - an opportunity he believes might be more achievable away from Stamford Bridge.
In recent times, Veiga played full-time in Chelsea’s FA Cup third-round victory over Morecambe and made seven appearances in Premier League matches - with his last appearance being an 89th-minute substitute against Tottenham Hotspur.
Potential impact on team structure
Should they sell Veiga this January transfer window, it could prompt Chelsea into signing a back-up left-back as he has often served as Marc Cucurella’s deputy. This sale could also potentially fund a move for a central defender as part of several sales being considered by the club this month.
One such option includes Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi who was seen playing against Chelsea at Selhurst Park on January 4, 2025. Guéhi is among several defenders that Chelsea is considering, and the club has reportedly been checking Palace’s valuation of the player. While re-signing Guéhi would be a challenging and expensive option for Chelsea, it hasn't been ruled out yet.
Chelsea's firm stance on Veiga's transfer underscores their commitment to getting value for their players. As negotiations continue with Borussia Dortmund and other potential buyers, fans will be keenly watching how these developments could impact the team's structure and performance in upcoming matches.
