Renato Viega Chelsea transfer all but confirmed as farewell message sent

Chelsea are close to announcing the transfer of Renato Veiga after the defender issued a farewell message to Basel.

The 20-year-old is set to become Chelsea’s sixth summer signing after a £12million agreement was reached with Basel for the defender. Veiga is expected to sign a long-term contract that will see him at Stamford Bridge until 2032.

Since the arrival of American owner Todd Boehly and his Clearlake consortium, the club have signed youngsters, including the likes of Kendry Paez, Estevao Willian, Andrey Santos, Marc Guiu and Angelo.

Veiga will join Tosin Adarabioyo, Willian, Guiu, Omari Kellyman and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as players that have been signed under Enzo Maresca so far this summer. It is said that there will be no sell-on clause in the agreement with Basel for the defender, meaning that a future sale would see Chelsea benefit from a 100 per cent fee.

With the medical already scheduled to take place in London, Veiga took to Instagram to send a message to the Swiss team. “Dear FCB fans, time to say goodbye. I feel the need to thank you for this past season, where you welcomed me and made me feel straight away one of your own.

“This past season, we didn’t achieve nowhere near the goals that a club of the dimensions of Basel demands. But I’m sure that with the new crew on board and with your support behind, that you will bring Basel back to where it truly belongs. You gained one more supporter, cheering for your success. Thanks Basel.”

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Veiga came through the youth ranks at Sporting Clube de Portugal and made his debut for the B team in September 2020. Across two season, he scored four goals in 31 appearances.

After a short loan stint at Bundesliga side FC Augsburg last year, he completed the £3.9million move to Basel, signing a four-year deal. He scored two goals and provided one assist in 26 appearances for the Swiss side last season.