Chelsea are expected to snap up FC Basel defender Renato Veiga for €14m (£11.85m), according to Diario AS.
The Spanish publication claims that a number of “big clubs” were keen to sign the Portuguese Under 21 international, including AC Milan, but the Blues are the team that have “closed” the deal.
Veiga joined Basel from Sporting Lisbon’s B team last summer, and it is believed that scouts have been keeping close tabs on his progress over the last few months.
At the time of writing, the 20-year-old was due to undergo a medical before officially being announced as a new signing.
What do Chelsea fans need to know about the player?
Veiga can play in multiple positions. For Basel last season, he was deployed as a centre-back and in central midfield, but he can also play at left-back if needed.
He possesses a strong left foot and he was often given freekick duties, having scored on his debut from a set-piece during a 2-2 draw against FC Zurich back in September.
It does seem like Veiga has been signed as a cheaper alternative to Riccardo Calafiori. Ironically, the Italian international is also a former Basel player, having joined Bologna from the Swiss club last year. Arsenal are now likely to buy the player for between €50m (£42m) and €55m (£46.5m).
Veiga will be the club’s 5th signing of the summer
The Blues have been busy since the transfer window opened. They have already secured the services of Tosin Adarabioyo (on a free transfer from Fulham), Omari Kellyman (for £19m from Aston Villa), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (for £30m from Leicester City) and Marc Guiu (for £5.1m from Barcelona).
Chelsea are expected to continue spending over the coming weeks, with the club still in the market for a new striker and winger.
