According to a report in Germany, Chelsea’s versatile defender Renato Veiga has verbally agreed to join Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund on loan this month.
The Portugal international has impressed in his debut season at Stamford Bridge since joining from FC Basel in the summer, playing in different roles – often within the same game. However, Veiga struggled to break into Chelsea’s Premier League XI and only started once in the top flight all season.
Serie A title challengers Napoli sensed an opportunity to land the undermanned 21-year-old in January, but Antonio Conte’s side are no longer favorites to sign Veiga.
It is said that Borussia Dortmund managed to reach a “full verbal agreement” with Veiga Sky Sport Germany. The Bundesliga club, who have also expressed interest in Chelsea’s Carney Chukwuemeka, are said to be interested in a loan deal that includes a purchase option.
Veiga is reportedly “enthusiastic” about a move to Germany but Chelsea have failed to reach an agreement and manager Enzo Maresca has openly expressed his desire to keep the versatile defender. “Renato is our player,” the Italian coach insisted ahead of Saturday’s stunning 5-0 FA Cup win over Morecambe, which Veiga started. “He is a player we are happy to have here with us.”
“The last game he played was away at Tottenham and at a sensitive moment in the game we put him there. That showed how much we trust Renato.”
“But as I said, it’s not just about what I think, or what the club thinks, or what the player thinks. Overall we have to make the right decision for the club, the players and the manager.”
Fellow defender Axel Disasi could also leave west London. Sky Sports Italy announced that the French centre-back is on Juventus’ shortlist of defensive reinforcements this month.
The Serie A giants are also battling Arsenal for FC Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo and remain interested in Benfica centre-back Antonio Silva.