Atlético Madrid are moving quickly to close the signing of Renato Veiga from Chelsea FC, and the Portuguese is set to become the fifth arrival in an active summer at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg was the first to report on Atlético’s interest in Veiga, while Matteo Moretto and Fabrizio Romano reported Monday that the Portugal international had reached agreement on personal terms to join Atleti. On Tuesday, Marca’s David Medina — probably the most reliable Atleti journo
— reported that the deal is close and could be finalized in a matter of days.
El Atlético, cerca de cerrar el fichaje de Renato Veiga. Con @PiTU_marca en @marca https://t.co/dCraI3Hmjq
— David G. Medina (@medinamarca) July 22, 2025
Veiga, a left-footed defender, joined Chelsea from FC Basel last July on a seven-year contract. The 21-year-old managed only one Premier League start before he joined Juventus on loan in January, where his game time — and value — shot up. Amid Veiga’s intense disinterest in returning to London, the player’s camp appears to have found him another new club; the well-traveled Veiga played for hometown Sporting Clube’s youth setup and turned out for FC Augsburg before moving on to Switzerland, where Chelsea signed him for €14 million.
Given the close relationship between Chelsea and Atlético, this transfer seemed likely to happen the second it became public knowledge. It has been reported that Chelsea are seeking a €40 million package for Veiga, representing a big profit for the Blues, but Atleti want to do a deal in the €35 million range. I don’t expect there will be much difficulty in finding a compromise.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/26064402/2217293697.jpg)
Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty ImagesExcluding Clément Lenglet’s arrival on a three-year contract, Veiga stands to become the first defensive signing for Atlético this summer.. He would bring youth, versatility, and great physical traits to a fragile back line; Lenglet has yet to join his teammates for preseason training camp in Segovia, while Josema Giménez is still recovering from a muscle injury he picked up at the Club World Cup last month.
The 6’3’’ Veiga is a natural center-back who has experience playing as a left-back and even as a holding midfielder. He is regarded as an aggressive defender out of possession, with a long, athletic stride allowing him to cover lots of ground. In possession, he has outstanding ball-playing technique that made him a “jack of all trades” at Basel; for more proof of his strong, varied skillset, the chart below from Atlético Stats shows that Veiga would have led all Atleti defenders last season in percentage of aerial duels won, clearances per 90 minutes, tackles + interceptions per 90, and passes into the final third per 90.
Renato Veiga está sonando con mucha fuerza para reforzar la defensa del Atleti.
— Atlético Stats (@atletico_stats_) July 20, 2025
Te lo contamos TODO sobre el jugador del Chelsea en un vídeo que no te puedes perder.
Entra ya en https://t.co/xvvuXRwkpL pic.twitter.com/f5I4XwMHaO
At his age, Veiga is not likely in a position to come in and immediately take on a leadership role in Atlético’s back line; it remains to be seen if the club makes another central defense signing after this one. However, Veiga’s playing style is more than necessary as Diego Simeone tries to mold a more-modern back line ahead of six-time Zamora Trophy winner Jan Oblak.
In a vacuum, Veiga looks like a terrific pickup, even if the price is a little elevated. His athletic and ball-playing traits will help Atleti play a higher defensive line, in hopes of exercising stronger control over games. He fits the age profile that director of football Carlos Bucero has sought this summer, too; Thiago Almada, at 24, is the oldest player he’s signed in this window.
More from intothecalderon.com:
- The Curious Case of Ángel Correa
- Colchonero Chat 24: Ringing in the New Year with Euan McTear
- An update on Atletico Femenino
- Saúl Ñíguez admits consistency has been an issue for him this year, cites reasons
- 5 Atletico Madrid players whose reputations are on the line in 2017
- January Window and Beyond
- Alessio Cerci set to join Bologna...again
