Current Brazilian and Supercopa do Brasil champions, Palmeiras, will be left reeling if another star departs for English shores.
Gustavo Scarpa and Danilo have both left the club in recent months to join Nottingham Forest, and while the Midlands club has adopted a new following from Brazil, another instrumental player is currently in the spotlight.
Having made his Brazilian debut against Morocco in a friendly on Saturday 25th March, Raphael Veiga has a whole host of Premier League clubs keeping tabs on the 27-year-old.
And rightly so – although it’s surprising it’s taken this long for Veiga to be noticed by top European clubs.
It appears to be the season for Brazilians heading to the Premier League. Flamengo’s Joao Gomes signed for Wolves, while Nottingham Forest also added Atletico Madrid’s pair Renan Lodi and Felipe to their squad.
South America is a pool which hasn’t always been linked directly to the Premier League, but all that appears to be changing.
So who is Raphael Veiga?
The 27-year-old attacking midfielder can only be described as a Rolls Royce.
The way in which he carries the ball and his composure under pressure are two of his main qualities. Veiga also possesses one of, if not, the best left foots in Brazil.
Having transferred to Palmeiras from Coritiba back in 2016, Veiga hasn’t looked back since a successful loan spell with Athletico PR in 2018.
The Brazilian has won it all. Two Copa Libertadores, a Brasileiro Serie A title, Copa do Brasil, Recopa Sudamericana, Copa Sudamericana, and two Paulista trophies – the list is endless.
On a personal note, Veiga was in the South American Team of the Year in 2021 and Brazil’s Paulista Team of the Year in 2022. He’s been at the heart of Palmeiras’ success and at the age of 27, he can fulfil his dream and make a move to the Premier League.
Sitting behind the striker in Palmeiras’ preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, Veiga has a license to manoeuvre into different attacking positions. His manager, Abel Ferreira, has achieved plenty of success allowing his attacking players to express themselves, which has helped Veiga to take his game to another level.
Although his left foot is capable both from set pieces and open play, it’s his footballing brain which puts him above most.
Playing clever through balls and spotting teammates dart into the box come natural to the Brazilian, as opponents can only stand and admire.
His intelligence on the pitch is there to see with the way in which his caresses the ball. He looks after it, takes good care when in possession, which brings a calmness to his teammates around him.
Whether it’s a set piece, volley or picking up a loose ball outside the box, Veiga always backs himself to deliver – and often does. Palmeiras’ “Mr. Reliable” is exactly that when it comes to penalties, too.
He may come across relaxed and composed, but he knows his role and duties inside out, making him one of the deadliest players in Brazil.
Veiga is invaluable to Palmerias, but anyone earning their first cap for Brazil knows their worth, and with that cap attracts plenty of attention.
Will we see Veiga persuaded over to the Premier League? Perhaps, but until then, let’s enjoy him hunt down a third Copa Libertadores and back-to-back Serie A titles.
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