Nottingham Forest are said to be keeping tabs on Chelsea youngster Renato Veiga as they plot their summer business.
The focus for head coach Nuno Espirito Santo is very much on the Reds’ four remaining Premier League games in a bid to secure Champions League football. However, work is already going on behind the scenes at the City Ground ahead of a big transfer window.
Ins and outs are on the cards Trentside, regardless of whether Forest find themselves preparing to compete among Europe’s elite next season. Defender Veiga, who is on loan at Juventus from the Blues, has been added to the list of names reportedly on the club’s radar.
According to GIVEMESPORT, the Reds have recently been scouting the 21-year-old. However, it is said reinforcements may “depend on possible departures” as the Reds are likely to face interest in the likes of centre-back Murillo and full-back Ola Aina.
Primarily a centre-back, left-footed Veiga can also play as a left-back or in midfield. He penned a seven-year contract, with the option for a further year included, when he joined Chelsea from FC Basel in a reported £12 million deal last summer.
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The Portugal international made 18 appearances for Enzo Maresca’s side before heading to Juve on loan in January. He has started nine Serie A games to date and also picked up some Champions League experience early on in his time in Italy.
Juventus have been linked with signing him on a permanent basis. Last month, TuttoJuve suggested the Italian giants were weighing up the versatile player’s future.
Chelsea were said to have placed a €20m (£17m) price tag on his head earlier in the year. However, Juve were said to be keen to spend “much less” than that amount.
Blues boss Maresca is said to rate Veiga highly. Speaking about the youngster before he headed out on loan, he said: “The only thing I can say is that we bought Renato from Basel, he has played in different positions and has played well. This has allowed him to be in the senior national team for the first time in his life. Even if he is not playing in his position, it means he can do well in the position he is playing.”
Forest and Chelsea are in direct competition for the Champions League spots as the end of the season approaches. The sixth-placed Reds are currently below the Blues on goal difference, leaving the potential for the final-day clash between the two teams at the City Ground to be decisive in the race for a top-five finish.
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