In a rare show of dedication to career goals over financial gain, Spanish midfielder Gabri Veiga is on the verge of completing a move to Portuguese giants FC Porto. According to reports from Portuguese outlet A Bola, Porto president André Villas-Boas has confirmed that negotiations are well underway with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, and the deal could be finalised in the coming days.
What’s turning heads across the football world isn’t just the potential transfer itself, but the fact that Veiga is reportedly willing to give up over 90% of his current salary to make the move happen.
“We’re in advanced talks with the other club,” said Villas-Boas. “Our goal is to complete the deal in a sensible, rational way. Gabri is an up-and-coming European talent, and we hope everything will be finalised soon.”
Porto are prepared to offer Veiga a five-year contract, and both sides are said to be optimistic about reaching a full agreement. The 22-year-old midfielder currently earns a staggering €230,000 per week, roughly €12 million annually, under his current deal with Al-Ahli. But to return to top-level European football, Veiga has reportedly agreed to slash his salary by more than 90%.
Villas-Boas praised the young player’s decision:
“We already have permission to speak directly with him. He has made it clear that joining Porto is his wish. For that, he’s willing to give up the majority of his earnings. That kind of mentality is scarce in modern football. While most players look to increase their income through transfers, Gabri is making a bold, selfless move in the opposite direction. It’s admirable.”
Veiga joined Al-Ahli in the summer of 2023 from La Liga side Celta Vigo in a controversial move that drew criticism from several football pundits. One of the most vocal critics was former Real Madrid star Toni Kroos, who publicly criticised Veiga for prioritising financial gain over football development.
In response, Veiga defended his decision, saying:
“Coming to Saudi Arabia wasn’t just about money. It was the best choice for my career at the time. I’ve had the opportunity to grow, work under a young coach, and compete alongside world-class players. The league is growing fast, and I’m proud of my time here.”
Over the past two seasons, Veiga made 65 appearances for Al-Ahli, scoring 12 goals and playing a key role in the team’s recent AFC Champions League Elite title win earlier this year. However, the midfielder now appears eager to return to Europe and re-establish himself in a more competitive football environment.
Spanish daily AS reports that Porto are currently leading the race to sign Veiga, with the transfer fee expected to be around €20 million. The player’s desire to play for the Portuguese club has helped push the deal forward, and a final agreement could be reached within days.
Should the move go through, Veiga will be a significant addition to Porto’s midfield and a statement signing for the club ahead of the new season. More importantly, his willingness to sacrifice personal gain in pursuit of growth and challenge could set a powerful example for a new generation of footballers.
As Villas-Boas put it: “We’re close. Just a few details remain. We hope to welcome Gabri to Porto very soon.”
