Manchester City now want to sign Gabri Veiga after decision on West Ham United ace Declan Rice
Manchester City want to sign Celta Vigo star Gabri Veiga after pulling out of the race for West Ham ace Declan Rice, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The transfer specialist noted that the Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea target has a release clause of €40million (£35million).
Romano added that Pep Guardiola’s side want the young Spaniard instead of the Hammers and England midfielder Rice.
“Manchester City have entered the race for Spanish talent Gabri Veiga after pulling out of Declan Rice deal,” Romano posted on Twitter.
“He’s one of the options now being considered at the club. Liverpool and Chelsea remain interested but City also informed now. Release clause: €40m.”
Cheaper alternative
It seems that West Ham have pushed Manchester City as far as they can in their pursuit of Rice, with their Premier League rivals Arsenal now in the driving seat for his signature once again after having to battle it out with the Manchester outfit.
Both clubs would undoubtedly be improved by the addition of the Hammers ace, but it seems he would have a very different life at the two sides.
Rice would more than likely be spending a lot of time on the bench if he made the switch to Manchester, simply due to the options already available to Guardiola, who is already improving his midfielder through Chelsea star Mateo Kovacic.
But in North London, Rice would be the main attraction, with manager Mikel Arteta definitely set to build his team around the England international should he finally land his signature.
Guardiola may, however, have now found a much cheaper option in young Celta Vigo star Veiga, who could be brought in for less than half of what Rice would cost.
In other West Ham news, one pundit has tipped Rice to take the Arsenal captaincy in a Hammers transfer verdict.