Chelsea & Liverpool enquire about Newcastle United transfer target with £34m release clause

Chelsea have joined the race to sign Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga after becoming the second Premier League team to submit an official enquiry.

The 21-year-old, who recently linked up with Israeli superagent Pini Zahavi, is expected to join a new club this summer following a breakthrough season in La Liga.

Veiga scored 11 goals and registered four assists in 36 matches, including a brace against Barcelona on the final day of the campaign to help his side survive relegation.

Newcastle United have been credited with interest in Veiga but according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, only Liverpool and Chelsea have formally enquired about his current situation.

Speaking in March, Celta Vigo president Carlos Mourino opened the door to Veiga leaving, but only if a club activates his £34million release clause.

“We do not want to sell him under any circumstances but they are going to buy him from us,” Mourino said. “We know some of the offers, we would not have the capacity to pay him what other teams do.

“Gabri has a Celtic feeling and will always have the doors open but he will depend exclusively on him and he is What they are offering him is irrefutable. He will decide where he wants to go but that club will have to pay the clause.”

Speculation surrounding Veiga’s future is set to drag on for the next few weeks or so.

Although Newcastle are aware of Veiga’s exit clause, a move is unlikely at this stage as they assess other potential targets such as Leicester City star James Maddison and Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are focused on recruiting a physical midfielder with Khephern Thuram and Manu Kone - two players liked by the Magpies - top of the list.

Chelsea are looking to offload players before buying. N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly, Hakim Ziyech and Eduoard Mendy are reportedly close to sealing lucrative moves to the Saudi Pro League.

Veiga is currently on international duty with Spain under-21s as they compete in the European Championships. The midfielder was asked about his future last week but remained coy.

“I’m not here to talk about my future, only my present,” said Veiga. I want to be in the final [squad] of the Europeans.”