It seems that barely a day goes by without Chelsea announcing a new signing.
Call them ambitious, or accuse them of failing to learn from past mistakes, but the manner in which Chelsea have exploded out of the blocks during yet another window suggests that the new additions at Stamford Bridge could once again reach double figures.
We are not even in mid-July, and four new players are already making themselves comfortable in West London.
Kieran Dewsbury-Hall reunites with his former Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca.
Former Aston Villa starlet Omari Kellyman arrives for an eye-watering £19 million, Tosin Adarabioyo makes the short trip from Fulham, and Marc Guiu exits Barcelona for a new adventure in England – much to the frustration of some in Catalonia.
Renato Veiga should become signing number five sooner rather than later too.
Chelsea set to sign Basel left-back Renato Veiga
HITC understands that Chelsea have struck a £12 million deal with Swiss giants FC Basel.
Veiga, who comes far cheaper than fellow left-back Theo Hernandez of AC Milan, is expected to challenge for a starting spot under Maresca next term along with Marc Cucurella.
Veiga, reportedly a target for Burnley back in 2023, was one of the breakout stars of Swiss football in 2023/24. And, according to Basel director Daniel Stucki, it is the 20-year-old’s ‘unique profile’ which made interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs inevitable.
“We have already planned with him but, ultimately, the market decides,” Stucki tells BZ Basel while indicating that he will not stand in Veiga’s way. “If there is a good offer, it would be difficult for the club to block a transfer.
“With his potential, he has a unique profile.”
Veiga, capped five times by Portugal at Under 21 level, started his career at Sporting Lisbon. After graduating from Los Leoes’ fabled academy, he had a spell on loan at Augsburg before putting pen to paper with Basel just last summer.
Stucki, meanwhile, feels that Basel are well set to bounce back from Veiga’s likely departure, while insisting that the youngster’s £12 million exit will not see them ‘deviate’ from their transfer plans.
Riccardo Calafiori could join Veiga in London
“In the 3-4-3 system we are currently playing in, we are actually very well positioned,” the director adds.
“We have made a lot of transfers in recent periods and we should learn from that. We have drawn up a squad plan with the coach and the sports commission. We should not deviate from it fundamentally now because of income (we receive from Veiga’s sale).”
Interestingly, Veiga replaced fellow left-footer Riccardo Calafiori at Basel back in 2023.
Calafiori is expected to end up in London too. HITC understands that Arsenal are pressing ahead in discussions over a potential £42 million deal to take the Italy colossus away from Serie A surprise packages Bologna.
One of the standout centre-halves at Euro 2024 despite the Azzurri’s early exit, comparisons have been drawn with the buccaneering Calafiori and a young Sergio Ramos while some believe Arsenal is the ‘ideal’ place for the 22-year-old to continue his development.
“He had an incredible championship,” Marco Materazzi, the 2006 World Cup winner, tells Sport Mediaset. “And, if he leaves Bologna, he must make the right choice. Either he goes with Thiago Motta (to Juventus), otherwise I read about Arsenal.
“The Premier League is a different kind of football. But (Arsenal) could be the ideal team for him.”
