Atletico Madrid consider another raid on Chelsea after taking Conor Gallagher last summer

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After signing Conor Gallagher from Chelsea last summer, Atletico Madrid are plotting another potential raid on Stamford Bridge.

Spanish giants Atletico Madrid signed Conor Gallagher, 25, from Chelsea in August 2024.

The English central midfielder was a popular figure at Stamford Bridge, particularly because he is very hard-working and a product of the Blues academy. However, that didn’t prevent his sale to Atletico to continue his football journey in the Spanish capital.

Gary Neville described Gallagher’s Chelsea exit as “heartbreaking” because of his roots to the academy.

While we would have liked him to stay in West London, it is hard to picture him playing in a current Blues XI ahead of the likes of Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer.

• READ MORE: What Conor Gallagher said in a message immediately after leaving Chelsea, John Terry responded

Atletico Madrid now set sights on Renato Veiga

The latest transfer speculation suggests that Atletico are looking at Chelsea’s Renato Veiga as a new target.

Veiga is expected to be sold by Chelsea this summer after an odd debut year in West London, where he impressed in the first half of the campaign before spending the second half of the season out on loan at Juventus. So, could the 21-year-old be about to follow in Gallagher’s footsteps and move to Madrid?

Sky journalist Florian Plettenberg reports via X that Veiga is on Atletico’s current shortlist as they monitor his situation.

It is explained that the Portugal international could leave for any offers between £26m-£30m. Apparently, Stamford Bridge officials have already received several enquiries this summer.

Some at Chelsea are surprised by Veiga’s expected exit because they thought he would get a chance to play in his preferred position as a central defender. Instead, most of his minutes for the Blues in the 2024/25 season came at left-back.

With Chelsea refusing to promise Veiga minutes at centre-half, the talented youngster could be on his way just a year after arriving from FC Basel.

Renato Veiga would have solved Chelsea problem

Chelsea want to sign a new left-sided defender before the close of the summer window, preferably a hybrid to cover both centre-back and left-back.

It’s so frustrating that Veiga is on their books and ticks that exact box, plus he’s a young talent with so much potential. There is no point forcing someone to stay against their will, though.

Veiga did impress last season during his time in Italy with Juventus, starring as a powerful ball-playing central defender.

At Chelsea, he would provide great competition and cover for both Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella across the backline, but they now need to find a suitable alternative. Incidentally, Ajax’s Jorrel Hato could be that profile amid strong transfer speculation.