Chelsea believe Renato Veiga is a better value for money proposition than Bologna’s Riccardo Calafiori according to The Athletic.
The Blues have agreed a deal with Swiss side Basel worth €14m for the Portugal under-20 international, who is set to become the club’s sixth summer signing.
Veiga is set to be announced as a Chelsea player this week following the completion of his medical and will sign a long term contract until 2032.
Chelsea believe Veiga is better value for money than Calafiori
News of the Veiga deal appeared out of nowhere last week and took many by surprise given there had been no links to the 20-year-old in the media at all.
Veiga is somewhat of a utility player given he’s capable of playing at centre back, left back and in midfield, but the Blues are believed to view him as a left back who can invert into midfield.
Chelsea have been in the market for a left footed defender and it appears they have now landed their man, although a decision on whether he will be part of the first team squad for the new season will be taken after pre-season.
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The Blues had been linked with a move for Italy international Calafiori, although no bid officially went in for the Italy international who is close to joining rivals Arsenal.
The Athletic report that Chelsea pursued the deal for Veiga quietly and believe he is actually a much better value proposition than Calafiori who is likely to cost more than double the €14m of Veiga.
The signing of Veiga is another indication that Chelsea are addressing a lack of height in the team, which was a concern raised last season.
Both Veiga and Tosin Adarabioyo are tall and offer a physical presence which should help Chelsea in both boxes at set pieces, an area the Blues really struggled in last season.
Only time will tell how well Veiga does, but with the low price tag it very much feels like a smart low risk high reward type of signing.
