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Newcastle 'very close' to completing first signing as Magpies beat Real Madrid to transfer
Newcastle United are reportedly close to signing a Spanish youngster linked with the likes of Real Madrid.
Newcastle are 'very close' to signing young Spanish midfielder Gabri Veiga, according to reports. It is claimed the Magpies are set to beat Real Madrid to the 21-year-old's signature.
Newcastle have been linked with a move for Veiga for several months. Eddie Howe's side have qualified for the Champions League and he is now aiming to bolster his squad with summer signings.
It will be the first time Newcastle have played in Europe's elite club competition for 20 years. Howe wants to be as equipped as possible to battle it out with the continent's best teams.
And Veiga could be the first new player through the door at St James' Park. Spanish outlet Marca claims a deal is 'very close' between Newcastle, Celta Vigo and the player.
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Veiga is claimed to have a release clause of around £34.3million (€40m) in his Celta contract. Real Madrid have been linked with his signature but, with their attention on signing Jude Bellingham, Newcastle are set to win the race.
Marca claims Newcastle are the best-placed club to sign Veiga. The youngster came through the academy at Celta and has been part of the first-team setup since September 2020.
He has made just 54 senior appearances for the Celta first team, 39 of which have come this season. He will be hoping to help the club avoid relegation this Sunday, needing a victory against champions Barcelona to confirm their place in La Liga next term.
Veiga only signed a new contract at Celta last summer to keep him at the club until 2026. But it appears the Spain international will move on following the end of this season.
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Veiga has made one appearance for the Spain under-21 side and won the La Liga Player of the Month in February this year. His arrival would fit the bill of the type of player Howe has targeted at Newcastle.
Howe knows improvements must be made to his squad this summer. But he says signings must be "smart" and insists big money will not be spent.
The Newcastle boss recently said: "We’ve got work to do, we’ve got work to do to be ready, we know that. There’s a big task ahead of us, but I’m confident we can do it.
"It won’t be huge numbers – I don’t think it can be. We don’t have the ability to spend the money that people will think we have, so we’re going to have to be smart.
"It will be a small group of players, but hopefully ones that can make the difference."
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