Mikel Arteta has been sent a major Arsenal transfer incentive to sign his own Jude Bellingham by bringing Gabri Veiga to the club this summer. The Celta Vigo attacking midfielder has attracted significant interest in the last few months for his impressive performances, with nine goals and four assists arriving from 35 appearances, with Real Madrid also said to be monitoring his situation.
Los Blancos appear on the verge of signing Bellingham himself after striking a deal with Borussia Dortmund which would see the teenager join in the summer transfer window. Carlo Ancelotti's men adding Veiga to their ranks as well could therefore be unlikely, but Ancelotti may have already endorsed the transfer.
Speaking ahead of his team taking on Celta Vigo, the former Chelsea boss said: "We have great respect for Celta, who are doing well. They are well set-up on the pitch and produce good patterns of play, with players like Aspas and Gabri Veiga. We'll try to do our job. He’s a top footballer, like Aspas. They’re quality players who have something special and they’re having very good seasons."
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Alongside Madrid and Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle are also among the clubs in the hunt to potentially sign the 20-year-old, although the Gunners have been added a clear incentive to complete the transfer.
Diario AS journalist Manu Sainz said: "If Arsenal gets into the bidding for Veiga, then they will most likely get him, because he enjoys the football Arsenal play and he would like to work with Arteta."
It has also been reported by the same Spanish outlet that Veiga's release clause stands at €40m (£35.2m) which could certainly make him an affordable part of Edu's summer transfer plans.
In an interview with Marca, Celta Vigo icon Patxi Salinas revealed that Veiga will be attracted to the prospect of living in London. He said: "We will have to enjoy him in another shirt. It is very difficult for a club like Celta to keep him.
"Today, a €40 million (£35.4m) clause is very easy to pay for many clubs, and the figures they offer you are dizzying. It is extremely difficult to retain these players. If I were the president of the club, I would fight with all my strength and until the last second.
"If I am the one who has to make the decision, I would not let him go just like that. I would fight even, if he signed for a big club, so that he could stay on loan for one or two years," added Salinas.
"If a club comes, pays the clause and the player wants to leave, perfect."
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