Chelsea have apparently turned down a proposal from Wolverhampton Wanderers to sign Renato Veiga during the January transfer window.
The 21-year-old has largely been part of Enzo Maresca's unofficial 'B' team since making the move to Stamford Bridge from Basel in a €14m (£11.7m) deal during the summer transfer window.
Veiga has started every Conference League game for the Blues this season, registering two goals and one assist in those six appearances, but he has played just 176 minutes in the Premier League.
Six of the youngster's seven appearances in the English top flight have come as a substitute, and he has failed to earn any minutes in the Premier League since December's enthralling 4-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Veiga's contract in West London still runs for another six-and-a-half years, but his lack of game time and versatility - having featured as both a left-back and defensive midfielder this season - have made him an attractive prospect for a January exit.
Veiga 'keen' on Chelsea exit as Wolves bid rejected
© Imago
A recent report claimed that both Wolves and Bournemouth were considering swoops for Veiga in January, and according to talkSPORT, Vitor Pereira's men have now made their first move.
However, Wolves were quickly given the cold shoulder by Chelsea, although it is not clear whether the Old Gold made a permanent offer or were instead looking to take him on loan for the rest of the season.
Veiga is believed to be keen on a move elsewhere this month to increase his playing time, but the report adds that it is not yet known whether Wolves will come back with a second offer for the ex-Basel man.
Despite being on the fringes of Maresca's squad, Veiga's impressive exploits in the Conference League caught the eye of Portugal boss Roberto Martinez, who has included the defender in each of his last three Selecao squads.
Veiga made his senior Portugal debut in a 3-1 win over Poland in October, starting as a central defender before reprising that role against the same opponent and Croatia in November's matches.
Why it makes sense for Chelsea to keep Veiga
© Imago
While Veiga is yet to truly make his mark in the Premier League, the 21-year-old has already showcased his attacking prowess in the Conference League, as well as his adaptability to different positions for both club and country.
Veiga has largely featured as a left-back for Chelsea, whose options on that side are set to be reduced by the expected exit of Ben Chilwell, whom Maresca has confirmed is likely to depart this month.
Chilwell has been largely frozen out anyway, but his departure would deprive Chelsea of another option in the left-back position, while midfielder Cesare Casadei is also expected to seek pastures new in the coming weeks.
Furthermore, injuries to Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana in the heart of defence could present Veiga with an opportunity at centre-back, where he has already made an impression at international level.
An astronomical offer will of course be taken into consideration by Chelsea, but the Blues should turn their nose up to any more loan proposals that arrive between now and deadline day.
Ben Knapton
