Chelsea's next January transfer deal takes major step forward as medical 'completed'
Renato Veiga has passed his Juventus medical ahead of a loan move from Chelsea - it has been claimed.
The 21-year-old, who joined the Blues from Basel on a seven-year contract for £11.8million last summer, has since made 18 appearances for Enzo Maresca's team this season, scoring twice and adding one assist. However, he has started just one game in the Premier League, with that coming against AFC Bournemouth back in September.
And now, Veiga is set to leave Stamford Bridge, on loan. He is on the verge of signing for Juventus until the end of the season, as he tries to get more experience in his preferred centre-back position. The former Sporting CP man is hoping it can boost his chances of being selected for Portugal's 2026 World Cup squad.
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Veiga, who hasn't been included in a Chelsea squad since the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, earlier this month, travelled to Turin on Sunday night. He then arrived at the J-Medical centre on Monday morning and signed shirts with excited Juventus supporters before undergoing his medical.
Journalist Ben Jacobs has since reported that Veiga has now passed his medical, and the proposed move is set to be completed and announced in the coming hours. Veiga is certain to return to Chelsea this summer, however, as no obligation or option to buy is going to be inserted into his contract.
Speaking about Veiga's future after Chelsea's 3-1 defeat against Manchester City on Saturday, Blues' head coach Maresca said: "I said to Renato, he has played already as a centre-back, a full-back, a holding midfielder, attacking midfielder.
"He has already played four or five positions. One of my first press conferences, I said that the reason why I really like and love Chelsea is because many players can be versatile.
"Today, in my idea, if they can play different positions, then it is better for the team and especially for the players. Today, if you just play one position, then I don't think it's enough... You need to learn more positions. Renato, Malo [Gusto], they are playing in different positions and they are doing well."