Over the last few days, there has been a lot of speculation surrounding both incomings and outgoings of Chelsea. Not much of substance has materialised out of it so far though, with most of those deals still being worked on. But now, one is over the line and has been officially announced as well.
It has been made very clear that Chelsea need to part ways with players before they can make any further signings this summer. As a result, departures have taken on a bigger importance in the days leading up to the September transfer deadline.
Chelsea are looking to part ways with a number of players before the summer transfer window closes. And now, they have finally gotten one of those deals over the line.
As reported by Chelsea's official website, Renato Veiga has left Chelsea. The Portuguese international has completed a permanent transfer to La Liga club Villarreal.
Official: Chelsea finally announce important transfer move
Veiga was signed by Chelsea from FC Basel last summer. Most viewed him as a backup option and he made 18 appearances in the first half of the season.
But it appeared that Veiga had been expecting more game time and a centre-back role. So, he left in the second half of the season and joined Juventus on loan. To be fair to him, he did end up becoming a starter in central defence for them.
With Levi Colwill out injured, many felt that this was the right time to bring Veiga back into the first-team fold and hand him a key role in the team. But it appeared that the club and the player had already decided to part ways.
Earlier in the summer, it had looked like Atletico Madrid were close to signing him before changing targets. He has ended up in Spain after all though and will be playing for Villarreal.
It is believed that Chelsea will be receiving a transfer fee in the region of €30 million and have a hefty sell-on clause included in the deal as well. It remains to be seen if his departure ends up leading to the Blues signing a centre-back before the summer window closes.