Forgotten Chelsea star closes in on Atletico Madrid transfer as Blues could land £35m

Chelsea are hoping to bank £35million as defender Renato Veiga closes in on a move to Atletico Madrid. Veiga, 21, spent the second half of last season on loan at Juventus, impressing over 15 appearances.

But a permanent move to Turin looks unlikely after Atletico convinced him to join Diego Simeone's side. The Portuguese is already surplus to requirements one year after moving to Stamford Bridge.

Veiga was signed from Swiss giants Basel for just £11.7m and Chelsea are aiming to sell him for more than triple by demanding £35m. But according to the Sun, Atletico are trying to sign him for £25m, with the centre-back having made it clear that he's keen on the move to Madrid.

It's added that the two clubs have a close relationship. The Blues sold Conor Gallagher to Atletico last summer while Joao Felix went the other way.

Veiga has also been linked with Bayern Munich, who are targeting a central defender. The 21-year-old's stock has risen despite his situation at Chelsea, becoming a regular in Portugal squads and featuring in their Nations League final victory over Spain last month.

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News about Veiga comes as Chelsea continue talks with Ajax over Dutch defender Jorrel Hato. The Dutchman would cost around £35m while the Blues are also in talks to sign Netherlands team-mate Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig.

Their arrivals would take Chelsea's summer spending to around £350m. The Blues are planning recoup a portion of that by selling the likes of Veiga, as they bid to skirt around Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Raheem Sterling is also on the chopping block, attracting interest from clubs across Europe including German side Bayer Leverkusen. Nicolas Jackson could follow him out of Stamford Bridge after Manchester United added him to their shortlist.

Who else should Chelsea sell? Let us know your picks in the comments section.

Enzo Maresca will hope to streamline his squad in time for Chelsea's Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on Sunday, August 17. The Blues are fresh of winning the Club World Cup and Conference League, triumphs which have earned the club a whopping £100m in prize money.

Their success under Maresca has helped attract talent to west London. Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr have all arrived this summer, as Chelsea prepare to return to the Champions League and hope to mount a serious Premier League title charge.

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