Yahoo News Aston Villa give Spanish sensation Premier League transfer lifeline with 'verbal proposal'
Aston Villa have reportedly made a verbal proposal to Al-Ahli midfielder Gabri Veiga regarding a summer transfer.
Last August, Veiga's move from Celta Vigo to the Saudi Pro League puzzled the footballing world. Everyone had grown accustomed to the elders of the European game moving to the Gulf state to close out their careers, but when a 21-year-old regarded as one of the most exciting prospects moved out there, genuine questions began to be asked.
He has since endured a tough campaign, playing just 16 league matches with just four goals to his name, though Veiga insists he made the correct choice. "The truth is that I leave all that in the hands of my representatives. I have full confidence in them," he told AS. "I can tell you that in August I was faced with a situation and I took the decision I thought was the right one. I’m 100 percent sure that it was the right one."
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Coming off the back of a breakout 2022/23 La Liga campaign that saw him score 11 goals and grab four assists, it was reported the Spaniard was a top transfer target for Premier League clubs such as Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Now in case Veiga has had a change of heart, Alkass TV Sports claim that Unai Emery is willing to give his countryman a new route into English football with Villa. They say that contact has been made with the player's side in an attempt to kickstart negotiations.
Atletico Madrid are also believed to be admirers, however Al Ahli would be reluctant to let their prized asset leave only 12 months after signing him for £25.8m on a contract that runs through to the summer of 2026.
Villa would be hoping they are able to offer Champions League football to the Spain Under-21 international. To make this a certainty they either need Tottenham Hotspur to drop points in one of their last two fixtures or to win themselves on the final day of the season vs Crystal Palace.
From that point Emery's squad would need bolstering for a tough 2024/25 campaign, with attacking midfield seemingly an area that will be addressed as fellow Spanish creative option Alex Baena has also been linked with Villa Park in recent weeks.
