European giants strike 'total agreement' with Chelsea player despite Enzo Maresca claim

Chelsea have reportedly struck a deal with a European heavyweight to offload one of the current first team players. The Blues are being linked with a move for a number of players as they look to bolster their centre-back position, in particular, though they will also be keeping an eye out for possible striker deals.

Enzo Maresca’s men have tailed off significantly over the festive period, but all is far from lost, and the Blues are still ahead of where many expected them to be, currently in control of fourth spot, albeit with Newcastle United bearing down on them.

A new signing or two could boost Chelsea’s season significantly, but there is also work ongoing to get rid of players who are not currently in Maresca’s plans. Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka lead the exits, expected to be offloaded this month amid a lack of game time, while Cesare Casadei could follow, and Christopher Nkunku is surrounded by speculation.

Another player who could depart is versatile full-back Renato Veiga, who has only made seven Premier League appearances all season. The Portuguese defender joined the Blues for around £11million last summer, but still only 21 years of age, he has had to be patient.

The issue for Chelsea is that other clubs have become aware for the defender’s likely wish to play regular football, and indeed his current situation. A number of clubs have been linked, including Juventus and Borussia Dortmund, but Maresca said as recently as Friday: “Renato is our player, tomorrow he’ll play and we’re happy to have him with us.”

Since then, though, Sky Deutschland have reported that Dortmund have a ‘total verbal agreement’ with Veiga himself over a possible deal, eyeing a loan deal with an option to buy. If that is true, Chelsea will have a decision to make, and they may be cautious given they would potentially be losing a player they have identified as having big potential.

Chelsea could look to insert a buy-back clause, or at least an option of first refusal, but if the player does want to leave, they may find it difficult to flat out refuse the deal, especially if they are serious about landing a new centre-back this winter, a deal that will cost them significant money.