Celta Vigo president insists in-demand Gabri Veiga will not leave for under £35m

Celta Vigo president Carlos Mourino has said that there will be no discount on Gabri Veiga this summer, with interested clubs needing to activate the buy-out fee in his contract.

The 20-year-old's form during the 2022-23 campaign has led to a host of talk surrounding his future, with the midfielder scoring nine goals and registering four assists in 27 La Liga appearances.

A number of the biggest sides in world football, including Real Madrid, Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City, are believed to be keen on signing the Spaniard.

There is a €40m (£35m) release clause in Veiga's contract, but it has been suggested that a number of teams are attempting to negotiate a lower price for the youngster.

© Reuters

Mourino has insisted that there will be no discount, with the full buy-out fee required in order to sign the youngster during this summer's transfer window.

"The clauses are in place and it is one of the requirements of La Liga. We are not going to sell Gabri Veiga, but they are going to buy him from us," Mourino told Cadena SER.

"Nobody has to negotiate with us. We know that there are clubs that have called, but we don't know who has spoken with Gabri Veiga. There were other teams that called us asking if we would give them a hand."

Mourino has also explained that he was unable to place a higher release clause in Veiga's contract due to the salary restrictions at the La Liga club.

"We have to situate ourselves where we are at Celta and because so many players from the youth academy have helped us out of the difficult economic situation. I can't put a €100m (£88.2m) clause on you if I have to pay you €300m (£264.5m)," the president added.

© Reuters

Last month, Mourino said that four Premier League clubs "have asked" about Veiga, but he denied that Real Madrid had made contact despite the recent speculation.

Veiga, who has another three years left to run on his deal in Vigo, came through the youth system at Celta, and he has represented the Sky Blues on 64 occasions, scoring 10 goals and registering one assist.

The central midfielder is yet to make his senior debut for Spain but has featured for his national side at Under-21 level, debuting against Japan Under-21s in a friendly last November.

Veiga has shown his versatility by operating in a number of different positions for Celta this season, playing as an attacking midfielder, right-sided winger and a centre-forward, as well as his usual position in midfield.