Guardiola ready to HIJACK Real Madrid 'done deal' for star midfielder

Tom Weber

• Updated: 31 May 2023 15:25 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester City are reportedly looking to hijack Gabri Veiga's Real Madrid move.

The Celta Vigo midfielder is one of Spain's most sought-after commodities this summer because he is seen as a cheaper alternative to Jude Bellingham. His performances have seen his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) rise dramatically this term, peaking in April at €17.4 million.

In anticipation of a summer transfer, Veiga switched agents with several clubs being linked to the 21-year-old. Arsenal, Barcelona and Real Madrid were all said to be in for him, while some outlets claimed that the latter had already struck a deal for the Celta Vigo man.

READ: Arsenal make ‘lucrative offer’ for ex-Real Madrid youth dubbed ‘budget Bellingham’

Those reports proved to be premature, however, and with Madrid on the verge of signing the real Bellingham, reports linking Veiga to the Santiago Bernabeu have cooled in recent times. Now, it appears, another club is ready to swoop in for the youngster.

Pep an admirer

According to Fichajes, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is an admirer of Veiga and is keen to bring his compatriot to the Etihad. The midfielder has a reported release clause of €40m, but with Celta Vigo in danger of relegation, they may be forced to sell at a lower price if they were to go down.

The player has previously admitted that moving to the Premier League would be a dream come true for him. This dream could soon become reality if Fichajes is to be believed because Guardiola has a "firm desire" to sign the 21-year-old this summer.

READ: 'Pep buys success' - Why Mourinho is greater than Guardiola

The outlet describes Veiga as a "low-cost alternative to the madness of the market" and claims that the City boss "is already rubbing his hands at the prospect of developing the potential of a new future star."

Whether this move will actually materialise remains to be seen, but if Ilkay Gundogan were really to depart the Etihad for Spain, Gabri Veiga could be heading the other way.