Chelsea are planning to submit a bid for Celta Vigo star Gabri Veiga in the coming days, according to a new report. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has a €40million (£34.2million) release clause which has made several clubs very interested in signing him this summer, with Chelsea asking for information about the player
Following his final day heroics, where he scored two goals against Barcelona to help Celta avoid La Liga relegation, several other Premier League clubs have also contacted Celta about Veiga.
Newcastle looked well placed to beat off interest from rivals to sign him but Liverpool, like Chelsea, have also now enquired about his release clause.
If Caicedo arrives at Stamford Bridge, a second midfield addition is also likely with Romeo Lavia and Manu Kone joining Veiga as possible options. Expected departures for N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and possible exits for Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher makes that second signing rather important.
Of those names, Veiga would likely be considered as the most exciting signing given his 11-goal season and dazzling displays in Spain. That thought-process also looks to be shared in west London with a new report from the Guardian's Jacob Steinberg detailing that well-placed sources are expecting the Blues to launch a bid in the coming days.
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Veiga's release clause should make negotiations rather simple but Chelsea's proposal could be very similar to their offer for Villareal star Nicolas Jackson. His release clause stood at €35million (£29.8m), but Chelsea are instead planning to match with instalments meaning they don't have to pay the full fee up front.
The Spanish side look set to accept that offer with discussions over how exactly the payment will be structured to take place in the coming days. However, with other clubs circling, that approach for Veiga is likely not the best way to securing his services.