New Celta Vigo boss Rafa Benitez has claimed that reported Liverpool target Gabri Veiga is a ‘great player.’
Benitez has made yet another return to coaching this summer, heading back to La Liga for the first time since 2016. Taking the reigns at Celta, he has inherited a player who has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield: Veiga.
But speaking at his unveiling as Vigo’s new manager via Sport, Rafa suggested that he wasn’t planning on selling the 21-year-old.
“We are talking about an important player, who comes from the academy, and I would be delighted to have him continue with us,” said the 63-year-old.
“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.”
Rafa aiming to keep Veiga
Ever since Liverpool signed Dominik Szoboszlai last week, links to other midfielders have gone pretty quiet.
The likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Khephren Thuram had seemed like long-term targets for the Reds. But the arrival of either at Anfield this summer has now been ruled out.
Similarly, the copious links to Manu Kone have been quiet for a little while.
In amongst all of that, suggestions that Liverpool could move for Veiga have also become less frequent. Perhaps Szoboszlai really was the alternative to all four. If Liverpool do decide to bring in another midfielder, it now seems virtually certain to be Romeo Lavia.
And yet, until Veiga does leave Vigo, there will remain a feeling that Anfield could be his destination.
Despite what Rafa says, the Spain U21 international does look likely to leave his boyhood club this summer. If he does, it’s been claimed that a switch to the Premier League would be the a safe bet.
It remains to be seen whether Benitez’s arrival can convince Veiga to put that move off for a while. By the sounds of it, the old Liverpool boss is going to try his best.
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