Dortmund keen to sign Chelsea defender Veiga

Renato Veiga’s initial loan deal with Borussia Dortmund has already been inked.

If the Portugal international, 21, leaves but has a purchase requirement at the end of the season, they would prefer a permanent sale.

Chelsea has already turned down a loan request from Wolves this month, but they have not encouraged the German club’s approach.

Veiga has a substantial role in Enzo Maresca’s squad, starting the majority of matches in cup competitions – including Saturday’s 5-0 win over Morecambe in the FA Cup third round.

However, Veiga is understood to want to explore his options, as he prefers to play in a more central area of the pitch, having started mostly at left-back as cover for regular starter Marc Cucurella.

Maresca discussed Veiga’s “trusted” to Chelsea after the club signed him for a £12 million deal from FC Basel last summer.

However, the Italian manager dropped him for a “technical decision” against Fulham in late December.