Champions League giants join Newcastle United & Liverpool in race to sign £34m midfielder

Newcastle United reportedly face increased competition for Celta Vigo’s highly-rated midfielder Gabri Veiga.

The Spain Under-21 star is said to be a target for a whole host of European football’s biggest clubs after rising to prominence with the La Liga club over the last 18 months. After making a handful of appearances over the previous two campaigns, the 21-year-old really made his mark last season by scoring 11 goals and providing four assists in 39 appearances in all competitions.

Despite the appointment of Rafa Benitez, Veiga is not expected to be at the Estadio de Balaídos next season after he received glowing reports from scouts representing the likes of Barcelona, Manchester City and Chelsea, who are said to be targeting the midfielder as a replacement for Mason Mount after he joined Manchester United on Wednesday.

However, former Magpies manager Benitez has now claimed the attacking midfielder could remain at Celta and revealed he is ‘counting’ on Veiga for the new season.

He said: “We are talking about an important player, who comes from the academy, and I would be delighted to have him continue with us. It would be exciting for everyone, and I will try to improve him as much as possible if he continues with us. I like him a lot, he’s a great player and I’m counting on him.”

Benitez’s resolve could be severely tested after The Guardian revealed Paris Saint-Germain have joined the race for Veiga’s signature and are ‘ready’ to add the youngster to their star-studded squad. The Ligue 1 giants would have to trigger a £34million clause in his contract after Celta president Carlos Mourino revealed he would not allow his prize asset to depart for anything less.

Speaking last month, he said: “We don’t want to sell under any circumstances but they are going to buy Veiga from us. We know some of the offers, we wouldn’t be able to pay him what other teams do. Gabri has Celta’s feelings and will always have the doors open but it will depend exclusively on him and what they are offering him is irresistible. He will decide where he wants to go but that club will have to pay the clause.

“Of the top 10 teams in the Premier League, four have asked. For us, it’s not for sale. We refer to the clause. We have nothing to negotiate with anyone.”