Chelsea reportedly want at least €40 million for the 21‑year‑old Portuguese defender, who has caught the attention of several clubs thanks to his recent form with Portugal and a solid loan stint at Juventus.
Veiga joined Chelsea in the summer of 2024 from FC Basel for around €14 million. In just one season he’s nearly tripled in value.
Atlético, aiming to strengthen their defense have seen their primary target, Cristian Romero, slip away and are now pushing to advance talks for Veiga.
Chelsea's transfer list is long. Renato Veiga is among more than ten first-team players marked for potential departures this summer, alongside names like Joao Félix, Nkunku and Ben Chilwell. That kind of purge would need incoming funds, and Veiga's sale would help the club balance the books and comply with financial rules.
Who Is Renato Veiga?
Born July 29, 2003 in Lisbon, Veiga is a tall (1.90 m), left‑footed defender who can also play midfield. He rose through Sporting CP’s academy, had a January 2023 loan spell at Augsburg, then moved to Basel where he impressed in the Swiss Super League.
By summer 2024, Chelsea signed him on a seven‑year deal worth about €14 million.
At Chelsea he’s made just seven Premier League appearances all off the bench with one start. Most of his exposure came in cup and European games, including UEFA Conference League matches.
That limited chance to start regularly frustrated Veiga, who has made clear he wants to play as a centre‑back, not just left‑back or midfielder.
In January 2025 he joined Juventus on loan. Juventus paid around €5 million in loan fees, covered wages, and felt his performances justified exploring a permanent transfer, perhaps in the €30 million range.
Reports said Chelsea were open to selling for about that figure if it suited both parties.
He debuted for Portugal’s senior team in October 2024, playing in the Nations League. Portugal won that tournament in 2025, and Veiga featured in the final lineup of the squad.
Why the €40 Million Tag?
Chelsea’s valuation has steadily risen. Early January reports put a €20 million asking price, but by mid‑summer that figure had jumped gear.
READ MORE: Chelsea Star Wants Exit Amid Unhappiness as Fabrizio Romano Hints at Manchester United Move
Fabrizio Romano, citing internal Chelsea sources, confirmed that the club insist on a €40 million package. That price reflects the profit potential and Veiga’s rapid development into a versatile defensive asset who fits into international and club plans.
Atlético reportedly see his value closer to €30–35 million. But Chelsea are firm, €40 million is their baseline and non‑negotiable. Romano explained the player is on board with the move, and Atlético are “prepared to advance” talks.
Atlético’s Situation and Why They Want Veiga
Atletico Madrid first target was Cristian Romero from Spurs, but that never got off the ground. Now they’re turning to other options, guys who’ve got a mix of experience, physical strength, and can actually play with the ball at their feet.
Veiga fit all the position. He can play centre‑back, left‑back, or a holding midfield role, exactly the kind of tactical flexibility Diego Simeone values.
He also has international honors. Portugal won the Nations League with him in the squad and a strong loan showing in Serie A made his profile more appealing. Atleti want fresh energy in defense after finishing the previous season needing reinforcements.
How Fans See It
On Reddit and other fan forums, Veiga’s rise hasn’t gone unnoticed. One fan wrote:
“We doubled his price in 6 months.”
Others questioned the logic of selling a player after just one season, arguing that Chelsea still have thin cover at left‑side defense.
Fans say Veiga hadn't really been given a chance under Maresca’s system, but still showed enough to command a premium price.
What Happens Next?
Right now, all eyes are on Atlético Madrid to see if they’re serious enough to meet Chelsea’s asking price. They've already made contact, which is a good start, but unless they’re willing to get close to the €40 million mark, this could drag.
Chelsea have made it clear they’re not backing down on their valuation, there’s no intention to sell cheap, even if the player is open to leaving.
Juventus could quietly re-enter the conversation too. They had Veiga on loan last season and seemed interested in keeping him permanently. If they’re still keen, and Atlético hesitate, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Juve swoop in with a bid. It might not hit €40 million, but Chelsea might consider negotiating if the deal structure is right.
From Chelsea’s side, this transfer could be part of a bigger clear-out. They’re looking to move on from a number of players.
Veiga, Joao Félix, Nkunku, Chilwell basically anyone not seen as a guaranteed starter under Maresca. The money from Veiga’s sale could go straight into funding new arrivals or easing their financial situation under the Premier League’s spending rules.
And from Veiga’s perspective, he’s ready. He’s made it clear that he wants to play centre-back regularly. Not part-time. But looking at Chelsea right now, there’s nothing to suggest they’re going to give him that chance.
Whether it’s Atletico madrid or maybe even Juventus, he’s clearly looking for a fresh start somewhere he can actually settle in, play one position, and properly develop into the kind of defender he knows he can be.
Real‑Time Perspective
As of July 20, 2025, Atlético Madrid have made direct contact with Renato Veiga’s representatives. Chelsea maintain a firm €40 million asking price.
Veiga is reportedly on board with a move, and Atleti are ready to push negotiations forward. The transfer window is moving fast now, it’s likely we'll know more in days, not weeks.
From a broader football standpoint, Veiga represents Chelsea’s model of acquiring young talent, loaning him for experience, then selling at a profit.
For Atlético, he’s a smart, flexible, and affordable move compared to pricier defenders. And for Veiga himself, this is about finding a place he can lock down a starting spot and grow into a future Portugal starter at centre‑back.
What This Move Really Means for Chelsea, Atleti, and Veiga
This move says a lot about where Chelsea, Atlético, and Renato Veiga are all headed. For Chelsea, flipping a player they signed for just €14 million into a potential €40 million sale in under a year is smart business. It’s the kind of deal that helps ease the pressure from those financial fair play rules everyone’s talking about.
They need to sell, and Veiga is young, in-demand, and still relatively raw, is the kind of asset that makes sense to cash in on.
From Atlético’s side, it’s about finally addressing a gap they’ve struggled to fill. They missed out on Cristian Romero, and while that was a setback, Veiga actually fits the bill quite well.
He’s tall, got pace, and you can pretty much stick him anywhere across the back. Left side, centre, even step into midfield if needed. That kind of flexibility? It’s essential for someone like Diego Simeone. He doesn’t just want defenders standing in a line, he wants players who can think on their feet, fight, adapt, and cover ground when the game gets rough.
From Veiga’s point of view, it feels like he’s clearly frustrated. He’s not a kid anymore, he wants to play that centre-back role and start building his career properly. If Chelsea aren’t going to give him that, why hang around? Just covering for injuries or playing different positions is not aiding is development. He needs minutes, proper ones. Simple as that.
Atlético could be the place where he actually gets to grow in his natural role. It’s not just about minutes anymore, it’s about identity. He knows what he is now, and he wants to show it on the pitch, week in, week out.
Wandeustsport Verdict
Renato Veiga is at a fork in his young career. He’s already seen success at Sporting, Basel, and with Portugal. His loan at Juventus shaped him into a more mature centre‑back.
Now he faces a decision that may define his path, stay where he might struggle for minutes, or move to Atlético where he might get the role he desires, but for a price Chelsea won’t budge on.
If Atleti pay the €40 million, it’s a big step for a 21‑year‑old who still has room to grow. It’s a decision shaped by spreadsheets, scouting reports, and player ambitions. But ultimately, that choice will rest with Veiga, he wants to play, and he now has the leverage to demand it.