Aston Villa are determined to win the race for Al-Ahli's talented midfielder Gabri Veiga as they prepare for the upcoming summer transfer window according to a report by Give Me Sport.
The Spanish under-21 international, who joined the Saudi Pro League club less than a year ago for £30 million from Celta Vigo, has indicated his eagerness to return to Europe, sparking interest from several top clubs.
The Villans, having recently qualified for the Champions League after a thrilling 3-3 draw against Liverpool and Tottenham's 2-0 loss to Manchester City, are determined to strengthen their squad for the 2024/25 campaign.
Head coach Unai Emery and president of football operations Monchi are holding internal discussions to identify key reinforcements, with Veiga emerging as a prime target.
Aston Villa are keen to hold speedy negotiations with Al-Ahli, aware that Veiga will have numerous suitors if he pushes for an exit. The talented midfielder has impressed during his time in Saudi Arabia, scoring four goals and providing four assists in 18 appearances this season.
Despite Al-Ahli's desire to retain Veiga, they may be forced to consider sanctioning his departure if he insists on cutting his spell in the Middle East short. The Spaniard's current contract, which allows him to pocket close to £200,000 per week, is set to expire in the summer of 2026.
Veiga's performances have caught the attention of several European giants, with Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich all having tracked the midfielder over the last two years. However, Aston Villa face stiff competition from Atletico Madrid, who feel they have the edge in the race for Veiga's signature.
The allure of returning to his homeland may prove stronger than the allure of the Premier League for Veiga, but Emery and Monchi refuse to give up on their pursuit of the talented Spaniard. The midfielder's potential arrival at Villa Park would provide competition for the likes of Youri Tielemans in the middle of the park.
Veiga's previous experience in La Liga, where he made 50 appearances for Celta Vigo and recorded 15 goal contributions, suggests he has the quality to make an immediate impact in the Premier League. The 21-year-old's signing would be a huge coup for Aston Villa as they look to establish themselves as a force in English and European football.
Aston Villa will be hoping to conclude a deal for Gabri Veiga swiftly, fending off interest from some of Europe's most prestigious clubs in the process. The Villans' ambition and the prospect of Champions League football could prove decisive in their pursuit of the highly-rated Spanish midfielder.