Atletico Madrid are actively pursuing a new central defender as part of their summer rebuild and have now turned their attention to Chelsea’s Renato Veiga following the collapse of their pursuit of Tottenham’s Cristian Romero.
With key defensive reinforcements high on the club’s agenda, Atletico have already begun discussions to sign the 21-year-old Portuguese defender, who spent last season on loan at Juventus. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, initial talks with Veiga’s representatives have taken place, and the player is reportedly open to a move to the RiyadhAir Metropolitano.
Veiga Emerges as Key Defensive Target
Veiga, who has made five senior appearances for Portugal, joined Chelsea from FC Basel in 2024 for a fee of €14 million. While he has yet to fully break into the first team at Stamford Bridge, his performances in Italy and growing potential have attracted strong interest from Atletico.
With the exits of Eric Bailly and Mario Hermoso, and the need to add depth alongside Jose Maria Gimenez and Robin Le Normand, Atletico view Veiga as a long-term investment who can compete immediately at the top level.
🚨🔴⚪️ Atlético Madrid have now made direct contact with Renato Veiga’s camp… and the player is keen on the move!
Chelsea insist on package worth at least €40m to sell Veiga while Atléti are prepared to advance in negotiations. pic.twitter.com/MiJ0CsX8tl
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 20, 2025
Chelsea Demand €40 Million
Although Atletico are eager to strike a deal, Chelsea have placed a firm €40 million valuation on Veiga — a figure that represents a significant potential return on their initial investment. This could pose a challenge for the Spanish side, who have already invested over €120 million this window on the likes of Alex Baena, Matteo Ruggeri, Thiago Almada, and Johnny Cardoso.
To offset those costs, Atletico have raised around €18 million through the sales of Rodrigo Riquelme (to Real Betis) and Ángel Correa (to Tigres), but it remains unclear whether the club will allocate sufficient funds to meet Chelsea’s asking price.
Will Atletico Make the Leap?
With Ademola Lookman also on their radar to complete the attack, Atletico Madrid are carefully weighing their options. Veiga, young and versatile, represents a promising addition for Diego Simeone’s defensive structure — but the price tag may force the Spanish giants to negotiate creatively.
Still, if Atletico push ahead, Renato Veiga could become one of the smartest signings of the summer, blending youth, international experience, and Premier League pedigree into a squad already brimming with ambition.