Former Arsenal midfielder Denis Suarez has admitted he knows that Gunners target Gabri Veiga wants to stay at Celta Vigo this summer. The stunning creative midfielder is expected to depart the Spanish club with numerous European heavyweights all after his signature following his first full season in La Liga where he scored 11 goals and grabbed four assists.
Real Madrid and Barcelona were the first clubs to show a keen interest but their focus appears elsewhere, with Los Blancos also now unlikely to make any more signings. In the Premier League, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City have all been linked with a move for the 21-year-old.
The Gunners' focus in the market is currently elsewhere with moves for Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber to be finalised in the coming week. Out of the English teams showing interest, Chelsea and Man City appear in the lead to sign Veiga with his €40million (£34.4m) release clause almost guaranteed to be activated this summer.
However, Suarez, who spent three seasons at Celta, does not currently believe that is the case. At a public event in his hometown of Salceda de Caselas to present a campus of the soccer school he sponsors, the topic of Veiga was discussed. “He has had a great season, I wish he could continue at Celta because I know that is his wish," the Villareal star admitted, via AS.
"But if he has to go out, I hope he decides for the best. The teams that are dreaming of signing him are top, so whatever he decides he will not fail. I have a lot of appreciation for him, if in the end he has to leave that he decides what is best for him."
Alongside their pursuit of Moises Caicedo, the Blues are preparing an official bid for Veiga as he is seen by those within Stamford Bridge as the perfect Mason Mount replacement who is set to sign for Manchester United.
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No European football could prove unappealing to Veiga, but Chelsea could get the jump on rivals who can offer that by submitting a bid now while their priorities are elsewhere.
CBS' Ben Jacobs has now provided a positive update for Chelsea on Veiga for Give Me Sport, writing: “Don’t rule out Liverpool and Arsenal have looked in the past, it’s just that those two clubs are not as active at this point. Although, they’re well across the situation and the terms of the deal.”
