FOOTBALL

Renato Veiga to Dortmund? Another Chelsea Special?

Borussia Dortmund is scrambling once again for defensive reinforcements as the rumor mill lands on Renato Veiga, the versatile Portuguese defender currently at, checks notes, Chelsea. Yes, Chelsea. Why else would anyone have plucked him away from FC Basel and dropped him on a mountain of loan commitments and squad rotation?

Does Veiga really fit the bill to join BVB? Sebastian Kehl, Dortmund’s sporting director, is reported to be interested in signing the 21-year-old, who has played in Switzerland, Germany and now England. Veiga could be a logical addition… or yet another case of Dortmund being fleeced by Chelsea’s Player Buyer 9000 machine.

Renato Veiga’s Journey: A Chelsea Special You Missed

You’ll also want to make a note of Renato Veiga signing for Chelsea in 2024, as you pretty much wouldn’t remember anyone’s signing if it weren’t for their gothic revolving door of signings. After a strong season with FC Basel, Veiga headed to Chelsea. He made 13 Bundesliga appearances on loan for FC Augsburg before that year. He’s already familiar with German football.

Veiga has played most of his games at Chelsea as a left-back but wants to move back four as soon as possible. The problem? Nico Schlotterbeck, Dortmund’s left-sided centre-back, is not going anywhere. Two of the competitors for minutes on the left side of defense that Veiga will have will be teammate Ramy Bensebaini—but wait, didn’t Veiga say he didn’t want to play left-back? Ah, the plot thickens.

Why Dortmund Want Renato Veiga

No secrets to Dortmund’s defensive struggles. Their injury list is a horror movie cast—each week, writers can almost pick out which star has been snapped by a tendon, and which one has come down with a mysterious illness. It was a glaring wake-up call that Fielding had zero senior centre-backs against Bayern Munich.

Renato Veiga steps in here. His versatility is appealing. He can be a center-back or left-back, and he wants to be both. That is a classic Dortmund move, spot on by them; they love players who can fill in various holes when the squad inevitably collapses.

But let’s be honest: With signing Veiga also comes risks. Six months ago Chelsea paid €11 million for him; now they want €20–30 million? Stamford Bridge behavior. However, Dortmund is also pushing for a loan deal along with their option to buy. That’s a contest between a club trying to save cash vs. another which (think) prints it for fun.

The Author’s Hot Take: Is Veiga Worth It?

Having a Dortmund fan in me, I feel mixed. BVB, however, desperately needs another defender. On the other, I’m sick of seeing Dortmund get fleeced by Chelsea. Remember Michy Batshuayi? The trauma still lingers.

Is Renato Veiga actually a solid player, or is he too pricey with Chelsea’s inflated prices? I’m not convinced. Kehl needs to begin shopping smarter. It’s like being at Whole Foods on a Trader Joe’s budget—you want the premium stuff, but you’ve got to know when not to say yes.

What’s Next? Negotiation Time

According to reports, Veiga and Dortmund have already settled personal terms. It’s now up to the clubs to find mutual ground. Dortmund wants the loan, with an option to buy; Chelsea wants an outright sale.

If Dortmund can steal Veiga without having to dish out big money, that might still work. If Chelsea really wants to get the £40m they want for Kehl, then he should be allowed to walk away. But there are other defenders, ones who don’t come with the Chelsea tax.

Renato Veiga is a real prospect. Versatility is a real asset for Dortmund, but if the price is not right, his versatility is a danger to him. It is only to be expected; after all, nobody wants to be the club that continues to overpay for Chelsea’s leftovers. Again.

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