Manchester City 'ready to step up interest in Gabri Veiga'

Earlier this week, the treble winners confirmed that they had completed the signing of Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea, the Croatian seemingly being regarded as a like-for-like replacement for Ilkay Gundogan.

However, negotiations over that deal were going on in the background at the same time that Pep Guardiola seemingly held an interest in acquiring the services of Declan Rice.

In recent days, City have withdrawn their interest in the West Ham United, who is allegedly on the brink of signing for Arsenal, but it leaves the Premier League champions to consider alternatives.

As it stands, it is unclear whether Guardiola's preference is to bring in a player who possesses similar attributes to Rodri, or whether he is focused on a more forward-thinking option.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Spaniard is open to securing a deal for Veiga, who has a release clause and is expected to move to a bigger club this summer.

Romano says that the Spain Under-21 international is now currently one of a number of players who has emerged as a more serious option for the English giants.

The 21-year-old has just enjoyed an outstanding individual campaign with Celta Vigo, contributing 11 goals and four assists from 36 outings in La Liga.

Veiga has occupied a range of central roles, most regularly in midfield, yet he has the qualities to play as a false nine, something which may appeal to Guardiola.

A number of high-profile teams are known to be monitoring the situation of a player who holds a release clause of €40m (£34.52m), including Liverpool and Chelsea.

Nevertheless, any proposal from City may be enough to trump their rivals, Guardiola seemingly an admirer of a player who would help refresh their squad.

Veiga is currently representing Spain at the Under-21 European Championship, making three substitute outings across the group stages.

With La Rojita having reached the quarter-finals, there is not expected to be any further developments over his future until the end of his nation's participation in the competition.