Manchester City Set to Reunite with Star from Saudi Arabia to Salvage Their Season: Report
Manchester City are keen to offer a path back to Europe for a star from the Saudi Pro League, as Pep Guardiola becomes increasingly anxious to halt his team’s disappointing streak.
Following their defeat at Anfield yesterday, the reigning champions have now gone seven matches without a win in all competitions. This marks Guardiola’s longest winless streak throughout his tenure at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and now Manchester City, as the pressure continues to build.
With several aging players looking fatigued, significant changes are anticipated at the Etihad Stadium in the upcoming transfer windows, with a surprise potentially coming from Saudi Arabia.
Manchester City are on the lookout for another midfield architect
Rodri, currently rated number one in eScored’s rankings of the top players globally, has missed significant time due to injury. In an exclusive interview with eScored, he expressed how the team can appear vulnerable without adequate protection for the defense.
However, even with the Spaniard’s presence, City are facing significant challenges. Bernardo Silva has been out of form, Ilkay Gundogan is not the same player he used to be, and Kevin De Bruyne has seen limited action recently, with all three players exceeding the age of 30.
In response, the Spanish publication Estadio Deportivo has reported that Guardiola’s team is attempting to rescue homesick Gabri Veiga from the Saudi Pro League and offer him a chance to return to Europe.
Veiga was previously linked with City during the summer of 2023 while he was still with Celta Vigo, but ultimately chose to join the numerous foreign players who moved to the Middle East that summer by signing with Al Hilal.
Veiga’s transfer raised eyebrows, as he was only 21 at the time and not one of the many Europeans leaving the continent. Toni Kroos famously criticized the move as “embarrassing”.
City could provide a competitive salary for the Spaniard, as well as the opportunity to revitalize his career and regain a spot in international discussions. Veiga would have a point to prove in European football and may be eager to validate himself to those who doubted him.
eScored understands that Veiga would serve primarily as a replacement for Bernardo Silva, rather than fill Rodri’s role. His future is certainly one to monitor, though it seems Veiga may remain with his current club until summer due to Saudi tax regulations.
As Jordan Henderson discovered when departing Al-Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia imposes a flat income tax rate of 20% unless players commit to residing in the Gulf region for two years. Veiga made his move to the Saudi Pro League in August 2023.
The Galician midfielder is valued at €25 million, according to Transfermarkt. City will face Nottingham Forest this Wednesday as Premier League action resumes.
