MLS Market Watch: LAFC eyes Palmeiras icon Raphael Veiga in early talks | OneFootball

After landing Son Heung-min from Tottenham Spurs, LAFC has held prem talks for Raphael Veiga, the 30-year-old Palmeiras midfielder who, until recently, was untouchable in São Paulo.

According to exclusive reporting from Território MLS, in partnership with “TV Espírito de Porco” and “P de Porco,” Veiga’s name surfaced via intermediaries and caught the attention of LAFC’s recruitment team after an attempt to move the player to FC Dallas failed, allegedly due to the high amount demanded by Palmeiras, and an obligation to buy it now, rather than after an initial, exploratory loan. Early talks are focused on understanding the financials — with Palmeiras said to be seeking around $10 million for the player.

Inside the Verdão camp, Veiga’s status has shifted. Once Abel Ferreira’s midfield metronome and a lock for big matches, he has slipped behind newcomer Maurício in the pecking order. Sources close to the player suggest he is open to “new beginnings” after eight years at the club.

Raphael Veiga: Form and Fit

This season, Veiga has made 33 appearances, contributing three goals and seven assists — far from his 2023 peak of 18 goals and 16 assists in 60 matches. His career numbers in green and white remain elite: 357 games, 104 goals, 49 assists.

For LAFC, the question isn’t just about production — it’s about profile. In his prime, Veiga was the definition of a “big-game player,” scoring in finals and delivering in derbies. That clutch gene could mesh well with a squad already featuring global stars like Son Heung-min and Dénis Bouanga, especially as the club chases continental ambitions. And those big games, happened to have been LAFC’s shortfalls: the club hasn’t had issues positioning itself as a top MLS squad, typically finishing among the top teams. The problem has been, as General Manager John Thorrington said, finishing games. Veiga’s arrival alongside Son and already prolific Denis Bouanga, could have LAFC unstoppable, especially with players like David Martinez and Nathan Ordaz as youth-driven depth options for the second half, which could be what the team has been missing to finally translate winning momentum into legacy via titles.

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From Prospect to Idol at SE Palmeiras

Signed from Coritiba in late 2016, Veiga’s early Palmeiras stint was underwhelming. A 2018 loan to Athletico Paranaense proved transformative, with a starring role in their Copa Sudamericana triumph. Returning to Palmeiras, his true breakthrough came in 2020 under Abel, becoming a creative anchor and a fan favorite.

But as his role diminished in the past two seasons, so too did the inevitability of his goals. For LAFC, that could be an opportunity — or a warning sign the price tag for a once prolific playmaker does not seem to have the value it once did.