Chelsea and Manchester City set to lose top midfield target to PSG in shock twist

Chelsea and Manchester City are both set to miss out on midfield talent Gabri Veiga as reports claim that he is on the verge of joining French side Paris Saint Germain this week.

Celta Vigo star Veiga has a 40m euro release clause and has caught the eye of clubs across Europe through his performances over the past 12 months.

With 11 goals last season, the 21-year-old broke out last season and was thought to be on the radar of both Real Madrid and Barcelona too, though they have subsequently moved for other options.

Gabri Veiga of RC Celta during the La Liga match between RCD Espanyol and RC Celta de Vigo played at RCDE Stadium on March 18 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by / Sergio Ruiz / PRESSIN) 2PG38MP Gabri Veiga of RC Celta during the La Liga match between RCD Espanyol and RC Celta de Vigo played at RCDE Stadium on March 18 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by / Sergio Ruiz / PRESSIN) (Alamy Stock Photo)

“We do not want to sell him under any circumstances but they are going to buy him from us. He will decide where he wants to go but that club will have to pay the clause”, Celta Vigo’s president Carlos Mourino explained at the end of last season.

He was set to be Premier League bound, with all of Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool all showing an interest in the youngster, who represented potentially excellent value for money at £34m.

However, all are set to be beaten to the punch by Paris Saint Germain, with reports in France suggesting that the European giants have ‘made progress in recent hours’ and would like ‘to close the file quickly and thus get ahead of the competition’.

It will be the second time that PSG have stolen Chelsea’s top midfield target this summer, with the Ligue 1 champions also having persuaded Manuel Ugarte to turn down Stamford Bridge for the Parisians in a deal worth 60m euros with Sporting CP.

Veiga, meanwhile, would join a whole host of Spaniards in the French capital, with Fabian Ruiz and Carlos Soler among those jostling for a spot in a crowded PSG midfield.