Budget Bellingham ‘dreaming’ of Arsenal transfer

Robin Bairner

• 17 Mar 2023 08:48 CDT
• 3 min read

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been given an early boost before the summer transfer window with the news that Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga has prioritised a move to the Premier League leaders.

Veiga has enjoyed an eye-catching season in La Liga, contributing eight goals and three assists in the 24 matches he has played this season.

The form of the 20-year-old has meant that he has become a wanted man. Real Madrid, Newcastle and Manchester United are all interested in the rising star – but Veiga wants to broker a transfer to the Emirates Stadium.

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Diario AS has reported via its Twitch stream that Veiga’s “dream” in the short term is to move to Arsenal.

Veiga has been touted as a cheaper alternative to Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, who is expected to move for a fee of €125 million or more in the summer, with Man Utd positioning themselves along with Liverpool and Real Madrid in that case.

MORE: Bellingham at €120M? Gabri Veiga is the cheaper alternative

The Celta player, meanwhile, has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of a comparatively small €12.8m – but that has risen from €1.2m a year ago, indicating his dizzying rise over the course of 12 months.

Indeed, this figure is likely to continue to grow ahead of the summer, and given the volume and calibre of teams involved in a likely bidding war, he may well move for more than this.

Gabri Veiga transfer latest

Although Arsenal, Real Madrid, Newcastle and Man Utd are all closely following the case of Veiga, there has been no concrete contact with Celta over a transfer.

Man Utd and Real Madrid have asked about the player’s situation but Arsenal are interested and Arteta is said to want to sign the player. Reports in Spain suggest that the player’s stance is liable to be decisive in any transfer dealings.

Under contract until 2027, Celta have told suitors to match Veiga’s €40m release clause to sign him.