Chelsea have reportedly received a boost in their efforts to sell defender Renato Veiga.
When Levi Colwill suffered a serious knee injury earlier this month, many Blues supporters hoped that Veiga would be reintegrated into the squad as a like-for-like replacement.
Instead, head coach Enzo Maresca has continued to keep the Portugal international out of his plans, while Chelsea officials are aware that they are in a position to make a substantial profit on him this summer.
As it stands, though, Chelsea's asking price of £34m has proven detrimental with Atletico Madrid having already turned down the opportunity to push through a deal for the 22-year-old.
With less than two weeks before the end of the summer transfer window, though, Chelsea's hierarchy will have to start considering agreeing to a compromise.
Chelsea defender Renato Veiga in December 2024.
Chelsea receive Veiga boost
According to BBC Sport, Villarreal have managed to strike an agreement with Veiga over personal terms.
Veiga has given the green light to join the La Liga outfit, who will be playing Champions League football during the 2025-26 campaign.
However, Chelsea are still to lower their asking price for the left-sided defender with Villarreal hopeful of negotiating a lower fee.
At this point, Villarreal know that Chelsea can ill-afford to take an unrelenting hard stance courtesy of being required to ensure that they comply with UEFA's financial regulations.
Other clubs may enter the race in due course, yet it is increasingly likely that loan proposals with options to buy next summer are more realistic the closer it gets to the September 1 deadline.
Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly during a Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, on August 18, 2024
Why is onus on Chelsea to lower Veiga valuation?
If Villarreal are to sign Veiga this summer, it would inevitably see them break their transfer record.
Their current biggest outlay on a single player is in the region of £20m, when signing Arnaut Danjuma, so there will need to be an acceptance on Chelsea's part that they will not recoup £34m from Villarreal.
Chelsea may insist that Villarreal have money to spend, a consequence of making in excess of £30m in net-profit this summer and with Champions League revenue to follow.
Nevertheless, Chelsea are in the weaker position during negotiations and must act sensibly in order to ensure that they do not lose out entirely.
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