Liverpool lead race for £35m Newcastle United transfer target after emotional ‘farewell appearance’

Newcastle United transfer target Gabri Veiga marked what is likely to be his last game for Celta Vigo in style on Sunday night.

The La Liga side hosted champions Barcelona on the final day of the season at risk of being relegated and Veiga put in a man-of-the-match display to seal a historic win.

The 21-year-old scored twice as Celta avoided the drop and cut an emotional figure throughout the evening – prompting talk of a farewell appearance.

Veiga cried during his celebration after handing his side the lead in the 42nd minute. And while he held it together for the second goal, the midfielder teared up when substituted inside the remaining 20 minutes.

The Spain under-21s international is attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs, as well as European teams, such as Newcastle, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City.

Sources in Spain last week said Magpies were on the verge of sealing Veiga’s signature, though NewcastleWorld reported that those reports were wide of the mark.

And latest speculation comes from Spanish outlet Revelo, who claim Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have emerged as the frontrunners. Veiga scored 11 goals in 36 La Liga appearances in 2022-23 and has a £35million release clause.

Celta Vigo president Carlos Mourino opened the door for Veiga, who recently signed with Israeli superagent Pini Zahavi , to leave in March,

“We do not want to sell him under any circumstances but they are going to buy him from us,” Mourino said. “We know some of the offers, we would not have the capacity to pay him what other teams do.

“Gabri has a Celtic feeling and will always have the doors open but he will depend exclusively on him and he is What they are offering him is irrefutable. He will decide where he wants to go but that club will have to pay the clause.”