Real Madrid News
Real Madrid’s interest in €40 million prodigy not dependent on Bellingham pursuit
Gabri Veiga of Celta Vigo has become one of the most sought-after young midfielders in Europe ahead of the summer transfer window, with Real Madrid among a host of clubs taking an interest in him.
The 20-year-old is enjoying a fine breakthrough campaign in La Liga this season, having registered eight goals and three assists in 24 matches.
Real Madrid have been alerted by the talent and potential shown by Veiga, with reports suggesting that the 20-year-old would be an alternative if Los Blancos miss out on their primary midfield target Jude Bellingham.
However, as per a fresh report from ABC (h/t Madrid Xtra), Real Madrid’s interest in Veiga is not dependent on how their pursuit of Bellingham pans out this summer.
Los Blancos have a good blend of youth and experience in their midfield department currently.
However, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are out of contract at the end of the season and a definitive update on their renewal has still not arrived. Even if they sign a new deal, they are highly unlikely to continue beyond the next season.
At the same time, Dani Ceballos is also out of contract this summer and if he does not renew, it would not be unfathomable for Real Madrid to bring in two central midfielders, making both Bellingham and Veiga possible acquisitions for the summer.
Veiga, as per reports, has a €40 million release clause in his contract with Celta Vigo. But Real Madrid would reportedly be willing to offer €25 million plus a defender in Rafa Marin to the La Liga club for the midfielder.
However, other teams such as Liverpool, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, and Arsenal have all been linked. And that could make it difficult for Los Blancos to get their man this summer.
Dani Ceballos is one of the players who has Real Madrid on the fence after his recent resurgence. The club appeared certain to part ways with the player during the commencement of the 2022/23 season but no longer find the decision as straightforward.
According to reports from MARCA, Real Madrid are in no hurry to renew Ceballos’ contract. Though his deal runs out in the summer, the Merengues prefer to focus fully on the competitions they are alive in instead of entering auctions for his renewal.
Ceballos has given Los Blancos the signal that his priority is to stay and is waiting for an offer from the board. However, nobody from the administration has contacted him yet.
Sniffing a moment of opportunity, Atletico Madrid have entered the scene and conveyed their interest in signing the midfield star. Los Rojiblancos have already called his entourage twice in recent weeks and a move away from the Bernabeu cannot be ruled out.
At 26 years of age, the Spaniard wishes for regular starts and playing time. It would be difficult for such demands to be met in Real Madrid owing to the sheer number of young prodigies rising in the middle of Los Blancos.
Come next season, Ceballos could be lost in the mix of Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde and veterans like Toni Kroos, while Jude Bellingham could also arrive.
Ceballos has made 19 appearances for the defending champions in La Liga this season, providing one assist in that duration. At just 10 starts and 44 minutes averaged per game, however, his role is clearly centred around the bench.
Moving to Atletico Madrid could thus work well in his favour for he is almost guaranteed playing time in Simeone’s system which is in dire need of a quality attacking midfielder.
The player is currently on international duty with La Roja for the Euro qualifiers. In the team’s opener against Norway, he came on at the hour mark and made a strong cameo with three key passes and a big chance created.
