Miguel Veloso is set to leave Sporting Lisbon this January with top European clubs Arsenal, Tottenham, Barcelona and Fiorentina all linked with a £9m move. The Portuguese defender come defensive midfielder has been linked to a move to the Premier League for a number of seasons but with his club now looking to sell, he may well be on his way.
Veloso has yet to fulfill the promise his early career suggested after both injury and arguments with the Sporting management hampered his progress. However, he still has attracted plenty of admirers including Harry Redknapp and Arsene Wenger.
The versatile Portuguese star was limited to just 21 League appearances last season (15 starts) but has started all 13 of his league appearances this season which has seen him break back into the Portuguese national team. Both Spurs and Arsenal are looking for cover for both their defensive midfield and central defender positions and Veloso would be ideal as he can play both roles naturally.
He has left the door open to a move to the Premier League when he said, “I am fine where I am, but I have the dream to play abroad and that is normal in every young player.”
Bolton made a move to sign the Portuguese star back last January which was confirmed by the midfielder’s agent Paulo Barbosa. When asked if Bolton were likely to sign the player, he told Setanta.com, “No, no it is not true. Bolton, no.”
“It is true they were interested in January but Sporting refused an offer for €12 million.
When asked about Tottenham, Arsenal and Man City’s continued interest, Barbosa interestingly revealed, “We will see, we will see soon.”
Barbosa had confirmed that the Premier League was his most likely destination when he revealed, “England is his first choice, and he already speaks good English. Everything is possible at the moment.”
Tottenham’s interest in the defender come defensive midfielder makes perfect sense after the continued injuries sustained to Redknapp’s first choice centre-backs and need for more midfield strength as Veloso is adept at filling both of those roles. Wilson Palacios has proved an exceptional signing but there are fears at the club that they don’t possess the strength in depth to cover his role if he falls to injury.