Chelsea send Veiga to Juventus as Portuguese star targets 2026 World Cup spot

Chelsea are sending Renato Veiga on loan to Juventus with no option or obligation to buy for the Italian giants in the summer.

Veiga wants first-team football as he looks ahead to the 2026 World Cup with Roberto Martinez’s Portugal and is expected to get the chance to play in his preferred position at centre back in Serie A.

Chelsea are believed to be receiving a sizeable fee worth around £4million from the straightforward loan.

It sees Chelsea lose a midfield option at a time when they are down to the bare bones with Romeo Lavia and Enzo Fernandez injured. Moises Caicedo and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall started their last match – a 3-1 win over Wolves – with no midfielders on the substitutes’ bench.

The Blues are currently considering how to strengthen that area for Enzo Maresca amid the injury issues.

They do currently have two on loan at clubs in Lesley Ugochukwu at Southampton and Andrey Santos at Strasbourg, though have so far shown a reluctance to recall either.

Veiga, 21, joined Chelsea from Basel in the summer for £12million, but has been on the fringes of the first team.

The defender has started just once in the Premier League and was even left out of the Blues' matchday squad by Enzo Maresca for their Boxing Day defeat by Fulham due to a 'technical' decision.

However, Veiga has been a regular in cup competitions, with the 21-year-old playing every minute of Chelsea's eight UEFA Conference League ties this season, while he has also featured three times across the FA and Carabao Cup.

He was left out of the Blues' squad for their 3-1 win over Wolves in the Premier League on Monday.

Cesar Casadei is also expected to secure a loan to Italy this week.

Chelsea face Manchester City this Saturday in the Premier League.