Laporta's Messi alternative: Barcelona to swoop in for Arsenal and Real Madrid target

Tom Weber

• Updated: 1 May 2023 14:31 BST
• 3 min read

Joan Laporta has identified an exciting alternative should Lionel Messi's return to Barcelona fall through.

Though reports in Spain are conflicting as to how exactly Barcelona's current negotiations with LaLiga over the club's financial viability plan are proceeding, with one side reporting that an agreement is still a long way off, while the other claims that the league has already given its green light, one thing is clear: it will be a challenge for Barcelona to re-sign Messi.

Indeed, with the club forced to shave off €200 million from their wage bill, it is doubtful that a Messi comeback will be a straightforward affair. The Blaugrana have already activated several financial levers, and they are planning to trigger even more should the league approve a Messi transfer, like turning the current La Masia headquarters into a Messi museum when Camp Nou renovations commence.

READ: 'Real Madrid run Barcelona and Messi is a smokescreen!' claims Camp Nou insider

With uncertainty still looming large, however, club president Joan Laporta is already planning for a timeline in which the Argentine does not make his triumphant return and Barcelona will be forced to look elsewhere for reinforcements.

Gabri Veiga to the Camp Nou?

According to Spanish outlet AS, Laporta has identified Celta Vigo talent Gabri Veiga as an alternative to the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner. Last week, Spanish papers - perhaps prematurely - announced that Real Madrid had already reached an agreement with the midfielder, but new information suggests that nothing is actually done on that front.

Seen as a cheaper alternative to Jude Bellingham, Veiga has drawn interest from around Europe with Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Liverpool also said to be monitoring the 20-year-old. The Celta Vigo man has a €40m release clause in his deal, and he recently linked up with super agent Pini Zahavi in anticipation of a summer move.

READ: WATCH: Arsenal and Barcelona teen target scores historic goal

Barcelona, it is reported, could swoop in for Veiga in the event that they can't afford Messi. They will, however, only be able to go for Veiga if LaLiga greenlights their financial viability plan.