Borussia Dortmund linked with Veiga, Chukwuemeka — reports

Today at 12:58 PM

Possible loans?

As we approach the halfway point of the January transfer window, it's been mostly quiet on the transfer front at Chelsea. But the rumor mill never truly sleeps, and we do have a few players on the transfer (or loan-transfer) list, including Carney Chukwuemeka, who was specifically left out this weekend in order to facilitate an exit.

He's been linked with the likes of AC Milan and West Ham United, but in recent days, talk of Borussia Dortmund being interest as well has cropped up. In fact, it was even put to Enzo Maresca in his post-match press conference yesterday, even if these things aren't exactly part of his purview.

"No. I don't know, to be honest [if there's been any contact from Borussia Dortmund]. I don't think so."

-Enzo Maresca; source: Football.London

The latest rumors however do seem convinced that contact has been made, though it may be for a different player. According to Sky Sports Deutschland, it's Renato Veiga whom they want and are currently trying to convince Chelsea to let him go.

Maresca seemed to rule out this possibility prior to yesterday's match — and Veiga has been part of the regular rotation — but I suppose you never know.

"Renato is our player, he's going to play [against Morecambe] and he's a player that we're happy to have here with us. The last game he played was Tottenham away and in a delicate moment of the game we put him there. This showed how we trust Renato.

"But as I said [about Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall], it's not just what I think, or what the club thinks, or what the player thinks. It's something that altogether we need to make the right decision for the club and the players and the manager."

-Enzo Maresca; source: BBC via Yahoo! Sports

So I suppose the door isn't completely closed, and the Sky report does claim that BVB have a "verbal agreement" with Veiga himself.

That said, and despite Veiga's rawness, I'm not sure getting rid of a useful utility player is the best move for us this month.