Napoli have made a first bid to try and sign reported Liverpool transfer target Gabri Veiga from Celta Vigo.
Veiga has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool at various points over the summer. However, with just over three weeks left in the window, the 21-year-old remains a Celta player.
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano though, he may not be for much longer. Reporting on Twitter yesterday, Romano claimed that Napoli have launched a big effort to try and tempt Veiga to Italy.
“Napoli submitted official bid today for Spanish gem Gabri Veiga worth €30m [£25.8m] fee,” says the journalist.
“Understand Celta Vigo have rejected the proposal — as release clause is €40m [£34m]. Negotiations continue — Napoli want Gabri Veiga.”
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Napoli make Veiga move
With relatively little time left in the window now, it’s quite a surprise to see Veiga still in Spain.
The youngster has had interest from most of the Premier League’s top teams this summer and had looked destined to be on his way to England.
Before their signing of Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool had seemed one of the teams at the front of that running. There were even claims at the end of July that they’d met with Vigo manager Rafa Benitez about the possibility of snatching his star man.
In the end though, it seems as though the Reds explored the possibility of bringing Veiga to Anfield, but ultimately decided against it.
Their focus is now firmly on securing the signing of Romeo Lavia. However, there is a strong argument that Liverpool may need another body though the door in midfield even if they do buy Lavia.
As a result, it wouldn’t be a major surprise to see them return for someone like Veiga. With a set release clause of around £34m, they already know exactly how much it would take to prize the Spain U21 international away from Balaidos.
If they wait too long though, it looks like Napoli might whisk that opportunity from them. The Italian champions have a way to go to meet Celta’s clause, but you’d expect they’d get there or there abouts. If Liverpool do want to act, they have to do it now.