Atlético Madrid and Chelsea Begin Talks Over Renato Veiga Transfer

Atlético Madrid and Chelsea are in talks about transferring young Portuguese player Renato Veiga. Veiga wants to move to La Liga, and Atlético are ready to make a formal offer while Chelsea hope to get €40 million for the player.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Atlético Madrid have contacted Chelsea about a possible deal for Renato Veiga, who is 21. He spent last season on loan at Juventus, and now he wants to work under Diego Simeone at Atlético Madrid. He has already agreed personal terms with Atlético and is eager to join the Spanish club. Chelsea signed him from FC Basel last year for about €12.1 million and are looking to make a sizeable profit this time around. Chelsea want €40 million for Veiga, including add-ons, to part ways with him. Veiga made just 18 appearances for Chelsea, mostly at left-back, due to which he requested his loan to play at centre-back, his preferred position. He got regular game time in his preferred role at Juventus, also featuring for Portugal in the Nations League, which further raised his value and attracted interest from several clubs.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Veiga’s versatility is helpful for Atlético as he can play as a centre-back, left-back or can even fill in as a defensive midfielder. The Spanish club are in the market for a versatile defender and the Portuguese fits the bill. Atlético Madrid finished third in La Liga last season and are eager to close the gap with the top two, especially after a difficult domestic campaign. Chelsea, on the other hand, are undergoing a squad revamp after finishing 4th in the Premier League last time around. With Champions League football around, the Blues are already brainstorming options to make big moves in order to improve their squad and remain within the financial regulations.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Atlético Madrid are expected to send their first formal offer in the coming days for Renato Veiga. They would want to reach an agreement with Chelsea before the pre-season ends. The Madrid club start their 2025/26 La Liga campaign against Elche, who got promoted from La Liga 2 last season, and thus this is the identifying period for them to finalise their transfers. Chelsea, meanwhile, are already looking to bolster their squad with a move for a replacement for Veiga. They have contacted multiple clubs for their defensive targets, and with their first match against last season’s FA Cup winners Crystal Palace — who finished 13th last campaign — in sight, they are in a race against time to finalise their targets.