FC Barcelona Linked To Signing Palmeiras Midfielder Raphael Veiga

FC Barcelona could sign Raphael Veiga from Palmeiras this summer according to SPORT.

The Catalan daily newspaper reports that Veiga has appeared on a shortlist of options to reinforce the midfield for next season, which Barca will play as reigning La Liga champions for the first time in four years.

Over at rival publication Mundo Deportivo, they link Barca to an approach for Bayern Munich ace Joshua Kimmich. The German plays in a deeper role than Veiga, and would be a replacement for Sergio Busquets to form a double pivot with Frenkie de Jong after the Spaniard announced his departure in the coming weeks.

Veiga then, who operates as an attacking midfielder, is being touted by SPORT as a ‘low cost option’ in a position where backup is badly needed.

This was shown when Pedri was recently out for a couple of months injured, and Barca lacked creativity and goals while dumped out of the Copa del Rey semi-finals by bitter rivals Real Madrid.

Though the 27-year-old cannot be directly compared to Pedri in terms of quality, he has more experience in the sport and is a reigning Brazilian champion who has enjoyed one of Sao Paulo giants Palmeiras’ most successful eras in its century-exceeding history.

Veiga has a contract until December 2026 but would be much cheaper than Bernardo Silva for example at around €15 million ($16.3 million).

Manchester City ace Silva was Barca’s top remaining target in the transfer market last summer after the club had already landed Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and Jules Kounde.

When De Jong refused to leave for City’s crosstown rivals Manchester United after Barca had already accepted an €85 million ($91 million) offer for him according to The Athletic, the Catalans were unable to meet Silva’s price tag reportedly ranging between €80-100 million ($86-108.4 million).

Fast forward almost 12 months down the line and Barca are set to snatch Silva’s teammate Ilkay Gundogan on a free. This doesn’t mean that they won’t make overtures for Silva again, but their financial difficulties and quest to acquire Lionel Messi could lead to Veiga being picked up on the cheap.

Then, in mid-2024, Silva would have just a year remaining on his contract which could bring down his hefty price tag.