Arsenal, Wolves and Fulham reportedly want Raphael Veiga but the Palmeiras playmaker has admitted in conversation with TNT Sport that he dreams of joining Premier League rivals Manchester City.
One of a number of newcomers in Ramon Menezes’ first Brazil squad since that Qatar World Cup exit at the hands of Croatia, the late-blooming 27-year-old could make his Selecao debut – alongside the likes of Vitor Roque, Robert Renan and Andrey Santos – during this weekend’s friendly clash with Morocco.
No one could say he doesn’t deserve it.
Veiga, one of world football’s most prolific midfielders, has scored almost 70 goals across the last three seasons. 21 of those came in the 2022 campaign. Form which, according to Goal, caught the eye of Fulham, Chelsea and an Arsenal side who, under sporting director Edu Gaspar, have added a number of Portuguese-speakers to their ranks in recent windows.
Wolverhampton Wanderers, meanwhile, would benefit immensely from Veiga’s productivity in the final third. Julen Lopetegui’s side remain the joint-lowest goalscorers in the whole of the Premier League.
Raphael Veiga dreams of playing for Manchester City
But, when asked by TNT Sport which club he dreams of representing this side of the Atlantic, Veiga’s response was immediate and emphatic; ‘City’, he said.
Arsenal, Chelsea and co have held initial talks to bring Veiga to the UK (Goal). The good news is that, with an approach from Man City seemingly not forthcoming, Veiga is unlikely to turn down the opportunity to join another of England’s big-hitters.
“(Moving abroad) is a goal,” the player himself says. “I think I’m more and more prepared for that. Things happen in the time they have to, it’s a dream of mine.
“It’s hard to pinpoint a country,” Veiga adds. “But there are some countries that, watching the games, fill my eyes; England and Spain. These are places I like to watch. It’s football that I follow the most.
“I would stick with these two countries.”
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