Newcastle may reignite their interest in a few long-term targets this summer.
Our pursuit of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi may be rekindled and Burnley stopper James Trafford remains a target after our £16m bid was turned down almost 12 months ago.
However, it seems a forgotten Spaniard who was tipped to sign two summers ago may be back on the club’s radar, according to one one journalist.
Back in August 2023, Newcastle United were heavily linked with a move for Gabri Veiga.
At the time, the Spaniard was with La Liga side Celta Vigo and reports suggested we were prepared to pay £34m for the midfielder, who ended up joining Saudi side Al-Ahli instead.
Almost two seasons later, his name has cropped up once again over the past 24 hours, with [Foot Mercato’s](https://www.footmercato.net/a1614035968206312258-al-ahli-gabri-veiga-sur-le-depart) Santi Aouna claiming that we are one of two clubs in the mix for his signature this summer.
Veiga’s contract expires in just over 12 months time and Aouna reports that both Newcastle and Atletico Madrid have contacted the player’s agent, Pini Zahavi, over a potential move.
Currently playing alongside the likes of Ivan Toney, Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez and Franck Kessie in Jeddah, it’s thought Veiga is on the lookout for a move back to Europe.
When certain transfer links emerge, I sometimes question whether it’s genuine or if our name is being used in the media to gain more interest in an agents client.
This could be the case, especially if ‘super agent’ Zahavi wants another pay-day for him and his player. However, there is also some merit to this link.
If our interest in the Spaniard has continued two years on and he’s now available at a cut-price fee as he approaches the final 12 months of his contract, we may see this as an opportunity to beef up our midfield depth in preparation for European football.
Time will tell, although we may encounter that Saudi debate given Al-Ahli are 75% owned by PIF.