On April 13th, we covered a claim from Atlántico that Newcastle United registered their interest in Celta Vigo star Gabri Veiga. It was also stated the La Liga side has taken it for granted that he will leave them after this season.
The 20-year-old has been a regular for the Spanish club since the start of this season and has impressed for them, managing nine goals and four assists from 35 games. His fine form has resulted in several clubs, including the Magpies, keeping tabs on him.
Real Madrid has also been named as the midfielder’s suitor, but AS journalist Manu Sainz now explains that Veiga could end up in the Premier League, where Newcastle is in the mix to sign him.
The journalist says Eddie Howe’s side was the ‘first club to travel’ to Vigo to take a closer look at the Spain U21 international in action for Celta.
Veiga has a €40m release clause in his contract that expires in 2026. According to Sainz, the Tyneside club is ‘willing to pay’ his clause to take him away from Celta in the next window.
However, Newcastle is expected to face competition from other Premier League sides in the race to sign Veiga, with Liverpool also named as an interested party.
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Newcastle could now do something on Sunday vs Arsenal they haven’t achieved in 12 years
Newcastle United have a chance to do something against Arsenal on Sunday that they’ve not managed since the 2010/11 season.
There was a time when Newcastle United absolutely hated going to London to face any team as we went on a horrendous run of not winning in the Capital. Thankfully that particular curse has long since been lifted, but there still remains a bit of an issue with Arsenal.
We have to go all the way back to 2011 when we finished a season without a defeat to Arsenal blotting our record book in the Premier League, and even then we made hard work of it.
The last time Newcastle avoided a PL defeat to Arsenal was the year of the comeback
Under Chris Hughton, Newcastle managed a 1-0 victory at the Emirates thanks to a trademark Andy Carroll header on the stroke of half-time. That victory was Newcastle’s first at Arsenal since 2001.
Later in the season when Arsenal came to St James’ Park, with the Magpies now under the tutelage of Alan Pardew and without Andy Carroll following his £35million switch to Liverpool, the Sky Sports cameras were in town about to broadcast one of the craziest games in Premier League history.
Arsenal ran rampant in the first half racing to a 4-0 lead going into the break, but when the second half came around it was Newcastle’s turn to shine. With a little help from Arsenal losing their heads and going down to ten men, Newcastle clawed back the deficit with two Joey Barton penalties, a rare Leon Best goal, and an even rare Cheick Tiote goal. An absolute screamer from outside the box.
The game finished all square and Newcastle ended that season taking four points from Arsenal. Since then, Newcastle hasn’t managed to repeat the feat of avoiding defeat in a Premier League season.
The Newcastle crowd can play a big part in ending this run
That could all change this weekend as Eddie Howe‘s super Mags face the Premier League title contenders at St James’ Park after holding the Gunners to a 0-0 draw on their own patch.
Newcastle ‘destroyed‘ Arsenal at St James’ Park in their final home game of last season, spurred on by an amazing display from Wor Flags and a terrifying atmosphere generated by the Toon Army. There have been calls for a repeat performance on Sunday and I’m sure the fans won’t let the side down.
If the fans can make the atmosphere hostile enough, and the players can put in a performance akin to the one we saw in the second half against Southampton, then there’s every chance that the Magpies can hit reset on that record.
I’m sure this stat isn’t something the players will be thinking about, or even be aware of, but it adds a bit of extra spice from a fan’s point of view.
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