Celta Vigo youngster Gabri Veiga seems destined to leave the La Liga side this summer, with multiple clubs chasing the midfielder after a stellar season.
Despite being just 20 years old, Veiga has emerged as a key player in the Celta Vigo side. He has nine goals and three assists in Spain’s topflight this season as Celta sit tenth. In addition, Veiga’s recent exploits earned him the La Liga player of the month award for February.
Numerous teams are now interested in signing the Spaniard as a result of his performances. A handful of Premier League clubs have him on their radar, especially as Veiga’s release clause is just £35 million.
The Daily Mail recently linked Man City to a possible move. Pep Guardiola may need midfield reinforcements if Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva leave. Similarly, speculation has suggested that Newcastle and Arsenal may be in the hunt, too. In fact, per HITC, the Gunners would actually be the preferred destination of Gabri Veiga.
Failing a move to England, a certain Spanish giant also could try and sign the midfielder. Of course, that is Real Madrid: AS confirmed Los Blancos’ apparent interest in getting Veiga this summer.
And, unfortunately for Los Celestes, his current club may be powerless to stop him from leaving.
Celta Vigo president not optimistic about keeping their star
Last week, Celta’s president, Carlos Mourino, did not sound convinced that his club could retain their young star.
“We do not want to sell Gabri Veiga,” confirmed Mourino, via Mundo Deportivo. “But they are going to buy him from us. And there we cannot do anything.
“We know of some of the offers [from other clubs] and it is impossible to get there. But Gabri is a Celta player, he has that feeling.”
The Spanish side’s president also mentioned that Veiga was not short on suitors.
“There are several teams chasing Gabri,” he added. “Real Madrid? They haven’t asked us; we don’t know if they have called the player. Of the top 10 in the Premier League, four have asked [us] about him.”
Although all signs point to him leaving Celta Vigo, Gabri Veiga certainly loves his boyhood club.
Gabri Veiga on his playstyle, Celta Vigo
In an interview with La Liga, the midfielder gave a personal insight into how he plays the game.
“I think of myself as a box-to-box midfielder, a real runner,” Veiga told La Liga TV. “A number 8 as it were. I like to go forward but I’m happy to drop back. Also, I like to take off with the ball at my feet, and I obviously love getting goals and assists. That’s an important aspect of my game.”
Veiga then shared the importance that his club has to him personally.
“I’ve been a Celta fan since I was very young,” Veiga told La Liga TV. Ever since I joined this marvellous club, the club of my life, I’d dreamed of making my debut with the first team. It was one of the best days of my life.
“Celta means everything to me. It’s my home, it has been for a long time and will be forever. I’m eternally grateful to this club because it’s given me the opportunity to fulfil my ambitions and hopefully live out a lot more dreams, too.”
Clearly, any potential exit this summer could be a very difficult decision for the 20-year-old.
Featured image credit: Getty
