Chelsea star 'offered' to Juventus amid transfer battle

Cameron Smith

Updated: 6 Jan 2025 12:33 GMT
3 min read

Chelsea defender Renato Veiga has been offered to Serie A giants Juventus, according to shock reports in Italy.

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The Portugal international moved to Stamford Bridge from Basel for a fee of €14 million in July, but he has been unable to displace Marc Cucurella as Enzo Maresca’s preferred left-back.

Veiga has racked up 17 appearances across all competitions since joining Chelsea in the summer, however he has only mustered 176 minutes of action in the Premier League and he was recently excluded from the matchday squad to face Fulham due to poor performances in training.

Maresca still views the 21-year-old as a key player in west London, but he is being targeted by a number of Italian clubs amid his slightly uncertain future at Chelsea.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Napoli are interested in signing Veiga during the January transfer window, while Calciomercato have now reported that he has been offered to Juventus on loan.

Chelsea are eager to avoid selling Veiga on a permanent deal, however a loan move appears to be on the cards and Juventus could pounce amid a defensive injury crisis.

Bremer and Juan Cabal are both currently sidelined through injury, and Thiago Motta has been forced to use Weston McKennie at left-back in each of Juve’s past four matches.

As a result, the club are now considering a loan move for Veiga as they look to maintain their unbeaten record in Serie A so far this season.

© IMAGO - Renato Veiga could join Juventus in January

What has Enzo Maresca said?

Although Veiga could leave Chelsea this month, due to his lack of game time, Blues boss Maresca has previously been extremely complimentary about the Portugal international.

After Veiga’s first goal for Chelsea back in October, Maresca told reporters: “He played like an attacking midfielder. He was playing in the pocket for the first time this season for us.

“He did very well. You never imagine Renato arriving in the box and scoring with a header from a cross on the other side.

“When we needed him as a holding midfielder against Bournemouth, he was there. The other day against Brighton he was a full-back. The good thing is that he is versatile.”

However, the 21-year-old could be set to leave Chelsea before the January transfer window shuts.