Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has revealed that Renato Veiga is continuing to train with the first team despite speculation regarding a transfer to Borussia Dortmund.
Veiga was a surprise arrival from Basel during the summer, the young Portuguese having since gone on to make 12 starts and six substitute outings in all competitions.
However, since the turn of the year, there has been speculation regarding an exit for the 21-year-old with Premier League and Italian clubs initially seemingly like potential destinations.
Instead, it was claimed over the weekend that Dortmund were making a sustained push for his signature and that Veiga was interested in making the switch to Westfalenstadion.
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Was has Maresca said on Veiga transfer talk?
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Tuesday's Premier League fixture versus Bournemouth, Maresca acknowledged that a departure for the recently-capped Portugal international was a possibility.
The Italian told reporters: "At the moment, I am not aware that there is an agreement for Renato. The only thing I can say is that yesterday he was here working with us, today he will be here with us.
"At the moment, he is our player. We will see if something happens but he was working yesterday and will work today. I am not aware of any agreement for him."
As per the recent report, it was claimed that Veiga wanted more opportunities at centre-back, something that has not been provided to him in the Premier League despite injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile.
Maresca added: "The only thing I can say is we bought Renato from Basel. He arrived here, played in different positions, played well and this allowed him to join the national team for the first time in his life, senior national team.
"Probably even if he is not playing in his position, if he is playing for the national team, then that probably means that in the position he is playing, he can do well.
"We are very proud of all our players that can join national teams. Especially in this case, with young players of 21 or 22 that join us and start to play in different positions, four or five different positions, that will give him the chance to join the international team. So we are very proud about that."
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Would a transfer suit all parties?
When Veiga has played this campaign, he has generally impressed. His main role has been acting as deputy to left-back Marc Cucurella, while he starred when being used as a defensive midfielder versus Bournemouth on his only Premier League start.
However, Chelsea may also be encouraged to facilitate a sale if they can make a quick profit on a player who cost in the region of £12m just six months ago.
The downside is that Chelsea would be losing one of their most physically-imposing players, something which they are not blessed with throughout the squad.
On a positive note, more funds would be available to sign a new centre-back, should they opt against recalling Trevoh Chalobah from his loan stint at Crystal Palace.
Darren Plant
