Newcastle eye PIF-owned midfielder in controversial transfer that would get Premier League scrutiny
Newcastle United look set to be active in the summer transfer window after securing a return to the European stage
Newcastle United have once again been linked with a transfer for Spanish midfielder Gabri Veiga, having been tipped for a move to Tyneside in 2023 and last summer.
The Magpies were among a number of European clubs monitoring the then Celta Vigo star, with Real Madrid also mentioned as possible suitors. However, it was Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli who signed the rising star of Spanish football after activating his €40m release clause.
Veiga has made 41 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring seven goals and helping Al-Ahli win the AFC Champions League Elite for the first time in the club's history, defeating Kawasaki Frontale in the final 2-0.
Nonetheless, his move to Saudi was criticised at the time, with Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos branding the move an 'embarrassing' one as pundits and fans criticised his 'lack of ambition'.
Coincidentally, the Saudi Arabian outfit is owned by Newcastle United's owners, PIF, and Footmercato claims the Magpies have made contact about a move for Veiga this summer.
Athletico Madrid are also named in the report as a club interested in his services and have made enquiries, but there's one key factor Newcastle need to be aware of.
Any move for Veiga this summer will come under scrutiny from the Premier League given the ownership status of both clubs. If you cast your mind back to the summer of 2023, the Magpies sold winger Allan Saint-Maximin to Al-Ahli for a reported transfer fee of £23 million.
At the time of the Frenchman's departure, a number of Premier League clubs were unhappy with the transfer between two clubs with the same owner with David Ornstein reporting a number of unamed clubs were going to take their concerns to the top flight governing body.
Premier League clubs have been hugely concerned about the financial muscle of Newcastle United's owners, with Saint-Maximin's sale viewed by some as a way to bypass the top flight's Financial Fair Play model.
In the end, there was nothing to it with the transfer fee deemed fair for all involved. The recent reports do not name a transfer fee, but you would expect it to be around, or in excess of the fee the Al-Ahli paid last summer.