Gabri Veiga, a midfielder for Celta Vigo, has reportedly chosen against joining a European team in order to sign with Saudi side, Al-Ahli.
The 21-year-old had a breakthrough season in 2022–2023, playing 36 games in La Liga and scoring 11 goals and dishing out four assists. As a result, Veiga earned nine caps for Spain Under-21s, and then a release clause in his contract sparked extensive interest this summer.
When Premier League clubs like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Newcastle United were all highly linked, moving to England seemed inevitable.
However, earlier this month, it came to light that Napoli had had fruitful talks with Veiga, who seemed eager to join the Serie A winners.
A switch to Naples would have represented a significant coup for the Italian giants, yet it now appears that he will be instead plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Veiga has agreed to sign for Al-Ahli and is expected to finalize a transfer to the Middle East in due course.
Al Ahli will complete formal process to sign Gabri Veiga today after deal agreed overnight with Celta Vigo and player side 🟢🇪🇸🇸🇦 #AlAhli
Medical tests being booked for Veiga, deal set to be sealed. pic.twitter.com/dbeCHZTXvh
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 24, 2023
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Romano describes Veiga as a “secret top target” for the Saudi giants, a former top-flight winner who earned promotion from the second tier in 2022-23 and are owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Despite their status last season, Al-Ahli are one of the favourites to win the league title this term courtesy of the amount of signings that have been made by club officials and Matthias Jaissle, who was allegedly key in negotiations with Veiga.
Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, defenders Roger Ibanez and Merih Demiral, midfielder Franck Kessie, and attackers Allan Saint-Maximin, Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino have all signed for The Royal.
Al-Ahli are one of three clubs to have recorded maximum points from their opening two fixtures of the new Saudi Pro League campaign.
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