Gabri Veiga has been quizzed about reports linking him with Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester City while insisting that his move to Saudi Arabia was ‘the right one’.
While older statesmen with room in their careers for one last contract can largely be excused for being lured to the Middle East with the promise of cash by the bucketload, the sight of Gabri Veiga swapping La Liga for Saudi Arabia at the age of 21 – and with just one season of regular, senior football under his belt – was met with a very different response.
Veiga, so impressive at Celta Vigo during the 2022/23 campaign, was linked with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Man United, Liverpool, Newcastle and more. He also came close to joining reigning Serie A champions Napoli.
As such, there was considerable surprise – and no shortage of hand-wringing – when Veiga accepted a £33 million move to Al-Ahli, Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos expressing an opinion held by many when he described the Spaniard’s Saudi switch as ‘embarrassing’.
Arsenal and Manchester City were linked
Veiga himself has no such regrets, however. That is despite a rather underwhelming season for both player and club, the Spain Under-21 international scoring only four times for an Al-Ahli outfit trailing league leaders Al-Hilal by 21 points.
“There will be things that appear in the newspapers that are true and others that are not true,” Veiga tells Diario AS when asked about suggestions that he joined Al-Ahli over the likes of Arsenal and Man City. “I already told you that everything that comes out is not true, unfortunately.
“I leave all that in the hands of my representatives. I’ve complete confidence in them. I was focused on finishing a dream season, which in the end got a little complicated there, without being aware of any type of rumours.
“Perhaps at some point there was some strong interest. But I already told you that in August a situation arises and I make the decision that I think is most appropriate. I’m 100 per cent sure (my move to Saudi Arabia was) the right one.”
Gabri Veiga disappointing in Saudi Arabia
The box-crashing Veiga shot to fame with 11 goals and four assists in his breakthrough La Liga campaign. Labelled ‘a great player’ by former Celta Vigo coach Rafa Benitez – who was sacked last week – Veiga looks destined to miss out on a place in Spain’s squad for Euro 2024 after a difficult start to life in Saudi.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
