Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea jostle for Gabri Veiga
The Celta Vigo midfielder is among the options being studied by the European champions. The 21-year-old has a buy-out clause of 40 million euros.
It appears that Declan Rice won’t be joining Manchester City after all. The English and European champions have withdrawn from the race for the midfielder after Arsenal came in with an improved offer - £100 million fixed plus another five million in variables, which will allow Rice and his family to remain in London rather than uproot and move up north.
But even with recent signing of Mateo Kovacic on board, Pep Guardiola and his technical team are determined to continue reinforcing a midfield that has been debilitated by Ilkay Gündogan’s exit. Guardiola knows that City will need to forge a squad with depth in every department to get through a season when his team will be the unique position of competing for seven trophies.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that “Manchester City have entered the race for Spanish talent Gabri Veiga after withdrawing from the deal with Declan Rice”. Although 21-year-old does not start out at the top of City’s wish list, he goes on to add that the Celta Vigo youth team graduate “is one of the options now being considered at the club.” In Spain, Veiga has been linked to both Real Madrid and Barcelona - the Under-21 international has also caught the attention of English scouts for his talent and relatively accessible buy-out: 40 million euros.
Strong, tenacious, skillful
According to Romano, “Liverpool and Chelsea are still interested but Manchester City also informed now” adds the transfer expert journalist. Gabri Veiga completed his first full season at Celta Vigo with 11 goals and four assists. A strong, marauding midfielder, he is closer to Gündogan’s profile than both Declan Rice and Kovacic and would have no problems adapting to City’s style. In 2022/2023, Gündogan posted similar figures - 11 goals and six assists.