Door opens for Chelsea deal after target agrees terms | OneFootball

Liverpool have got their attention firmly on Chelsea right now.

The two clubs have shared interests in players finding an agreement where both sides benefit is going to be imperative over the next few weeks before the summer transfer window closes.

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Jorrel Hato is currently the subject of such speculation as it appears Chelsea have the Ajax defender in their sights as a new defensive recruit. The only problem is, he's also on Liverpool's shortlist.

But there is a plausible solution to this issue that might be available for Liverpool to consider.

Is signing Veiga an option instead?

Initially, it appeared as though Hato was a Liverpool target for the left-back role, but Milos Kerkez's arrival has since changed that, although the Dutchman could be considered for the centre-back role.

However, it appears as though Chelsea have taken a firm interest in proceedings and he is their ideal choice to play the back-up role in their defence, covering both Marc Cucurella and Levi Colwill.

According to Caught Offside, a verbal agreement on personal terms has been agreed, which is disappointing, since he will be leaving ex-Red Johnny Heitinga's Ajax side and the fee required to secure him is said to be around €40-50m, which would be a bargain for the 19-year-old.

So here lies the problem, since one of Liverpool's main defensive targets, who would've fitted in perfectly with the Dutch contingent on Merseyside, is almost certainly going to be headed to London.

But it is entirely possible that the solution to Liverpool's defensive issues could also lie at Chelsea, because the Blues are open to selling Renato Veiga - a 21-year-old Portuguese defender who can play a whole range of positions, including central-midfield and centre-back.

As such, not only could he cover for Ibrahima Konate or Virgil Van Dijk, but he could also make a difference in the team if Ryan Gravenberch needed to be rested as the club's defensive midfielder.

The Athletic's latest deal sheet claims that alongside Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich, there was 'one Premier League club in the race' for him and it's possible that Liverpool could be looking at him.

Furthermore, the asking price for the Veiga is a minimum €40m (£35m), which feels like a pretty generous offer from Chelsea, given how stubborn they can be with the player sales negotiations.

Whether a deal with Liverpool comes to fruition is yet to be seen, but it is certainly a proposition to consider since Hato is no longer available and the players is surplus to requirements at Chelsea.

One way or another, the hole in the Reds' squad left by Jarrel Quansah will need to be filled.