Chelsea defender emerges as January transfer target for Napoli | OneFootball

Chelsea defender Renato Veiga has emerged as a transfer target for Serie A giants Napoli, reports have revealed.

The 21-year-old has impressed since his £12m switch to Stamford Bridge during the summer but remains on the fringes of Enzo Maresca's first team, starting just once in the Premier League and instead seeing most of his minutes in the Europa Conference League.

Fabrizio Romano notes Veiga's performances, which have also led to a senior call-up to the Portugal national team, have caught the eye of Napoli, who have added Veiga to their list of January transfer targets.

Just how Chelsea feel about parting ways with Veiga on loan is not known. Maresca has openly admitted his admiration for the young defender, whose versatility has seen him fill in across a whole host of positions.

"I just said to Renato, he has played already as a centre-back, a full-back, holding midfielder, attacking midfielder. He has already played four or five positions," Maresca said in October.

"Today, in my idea, if they can play different positions, then it is better for the team and especially for the players. Today, if you just play one position, I don't think it’s enough. You need to learn more positions."

Serie A rivals Juventus have also been named as potential suitors for Veiga, whose situation could hinge on whether he requests a move. Maresca has already admitted he does not want to lose any players this winter but conceded those on the fringes - such as Veiga, Christopher Nkunku, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Marc Guiu - may look to leave in search of regular minutes.