Manchester City “considered” making a bid for Napoli-bound midfielder Gabri Veiga this summer, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Spanish Under 21 international is set to join the Serie A champions from Celta Vigo in a deal worth up to €36m (£30.8m) but, writing in his column for Caught Offside, Romano says the Citizens, Chelsea and Liverpool were also interested:

“Gabri Veiga – The Celta Vigo midfielder is now closing in on a move to Napoli despite links with Premier League clubs earlier this summer. Liverpool decided to go for different kind of midfielders, Chelsea did the same with Romeo Lavia. So it’s about skills – they all rated Veiga as top talent but didn’t bid due to different vision. Man City considered him after the Declan Rice saga but then decided to invest big money on different kind of players.”

In terms of the target that the Citizens decided to go after instead, it seems they prioritised West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta, only for that deal to collapse following betting allegations.

At the moment, it doesn’t seem like another central midfield player will be brought in before the transfer window closes, with the Manchester club’s focus having switched to purchasing Rennes winger Jeremy Doku.

Will City live to regret their decision?

Napoli have been extremely adept in their recruitment over the past few years. The additions of Kim Min-Jae and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia last summer were key in them winning the league title.

Back in 2020, they were also bold enough to take the plunge and shell out €80m on Victor Osimhen, who has gone on to scale even greater heights since arriving in Naples.

Whether Veiga can replicate the success those players have had, we shall have to wait and see. He did have a breakout season at Celta, scoring 11 times in La Liga, so there is every chance he will also impress in Serie A.