Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Saudi Pro League, FC Porto, Football
Nasir Jabbar
Gabri Veiga is set to take a staggering 90 per cent pay cut to leave Saudi Arabia for his proposed new club.
Veiga rose to fame in Spain with Celta Vigo and emerged as one of the brightest prospects in world football.
But he made the bold decision to sign for Al Ahli despite attracting plenty of interest in Spain and across Europe, which was slammed by Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos.
However, the 23-year-old defended his transfer to the Saudi Pro League outfit, insisting he did not join the club just for the money.
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"I did not join the Saudi Pro League just for money," he explained.
"It was the best option to develop as a player, grow under a young coach, a team full of stars and a league improving as the Saudi Pro League. I'm 100 per cent proud of my choice."
Veiga is said to be earning a whopping €230,769-per-week, which equates to a cool €12 million-per-year.
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He's been at the club for two years, having penned a three-year deal in the summer of 2023, meaning he has bagged around €24 million.
The star midfielder is now pushing for a return to Europe, with Newcastle United interested in acquiring his services, not to mention Nottingham Forest and Wolves.
But Porto look set to beat Newcastle, Forest and Wolves to the signing of Veiga, who could be available for as little as £16 million.
His proposed move to Porto means the Spaniard is reducing his salary by more than 90 per cent.
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So, that's a €10.7 million drop from his current salary. He's set to earn around €1.2 million-per-year at Porto.
Saudi Pro League sides have been able to recruit some of the best players in Europe by offering mega deals, with Cristiano Ronaldo making an absolute fortune at Al Nassr.
Veiga, though, is set to walk away from his monstrous contract to continue his career in Europe, having made 65 appearances across all competitions for Al Ahli, scoring 12 goals.
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He helped his team win the Asian Champions League earlier this month.