Arsenal remain ‘dream’ destination for £35m midfielder for three reasons, despite fresh suitor preparing bid
Arsenal remain the “favourite” club for Gabri Veiga to move from Celta Vigo, according to a report exposing the intentions of a new bidder from Serie A.
Veiga has risen to prominence with Celta this season and earned La Liga’s player of the month for February. Owing to his remarkable improvement recently, he has been a target for various clubs. It appears practically impossible for Celta to keep him this summer.
A move to the Premier League is being pushed for the midfielder. In that sense, a recent report stated that Manchester City are willing to blast other suitors out of the water to recruit him.
Yet, Veiga has also garnered the attention of Liverpool and Arsenal. Numerous speculations have pointed towards the Arsenal as his favourite choice of future club. And those statements have been backed up in an update by Faro de Vigo.
According to the Spanish publication, Veiga wants to “fulfil” his “dream of signing for Arsenal”.
That’s despite Serie A leaders Napoli entering the picture with a willingness to match his €40million (£35.2m) release clause.
Veiga is believed to favour Arsenal for three reasons. First, they are giving a platform for other young players in his age range. Second, their proposal under Veiga’s compatriot Mikel Arteta looks interesting. Ultimately, London would be an interesting spot for the 20-year-old to dwell.
Consequently, Arsenal know they will have a decent chance of winning the competition for Veiga if they firm up their interest.
As things stand, though, they are only at the stage of having an interest in the Spaniard. They are yet to make any real plans to make offers to him and Celta.
In contrast, Napoli are possibly the first true movers for Veiga. And despite the way they have caught the imagination in Serie A and the Champions League this season, they don’t seem to have the same appeal to the Arsenal target.
How might Gabri Veiga fit in at Arsenal?
If he does end up at the Emirates Stadium, Veiga would offer competition for club captain Martin Odegaard, who is another attack-minded central midfielder.
Arteta would have to work out if they could play alongside one another or if he would have to shift between them. Presumably, Odegaard would be highest in the hierarchy due to his present responsibility at the club.
With uncertainties over the future of Emile Smith Rowe, though, there could be a need for more creative midfielders at Arsenal next season. With how Veiga has been progressing in recent months, he could have some sort of influence.
With nine goals to his name from 25 La Liga outings so far this season, he is already proven he can compete in a top category.
He might have to be more patient at a team like Arsenal. Yet he would likely still have a reasonable degree of faith from their personnel.
Hence, his preference for them is understandable. Only time will tell if he achieves his wish.
