Liverpool are said to have negotiated personal terms with Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga, although no deal has yet been agreed with his club.
Veiga is one of several young midfielders being considered for a move to Anfield this summer, having established himself as a top talent in Spain.
The 21-year-old scored 11 goals and provided four assists in 36 La Liga appearances last season, but did so in a Celta Vigo side that finished 13th.
While Rafa Benitez is expected to take over the Estadio de Balaidos this summer, Veiga has been largely keen to leave.
Together with Khephren Thuram, Manu Kone and Ryan Gravenberch, the Spaniard is being evaluated as a potential signing for Liverpool. Journalist Oscar Mendez, who lives in Vigo and reports on Celta for Relevo, confirmed the claim that the club has already offered Veiga a contract.
Taking to Twitter, Mendez confirmed reports from Italy that, with Napoli looking on, Liverpool were filing terms worth around £80,000 a week.
“But Liverpool have to pay Celta 40 million euros faster than Chelsea,” he added, with no deal currently reached with Veiga’s club.
The €40m (£34.4m) fee is due to a safeguard clause in the youngster’s contract, which would force Celta to sell if activated.
This makes negotiations easier in some ways, although Liverpool would almost certainly be willing to discuss payment options should they agree a transfer.
A release clause would usually require the payment of a lump sum, but it is common for clubs to try to agree on installment payments – as is usually the case with a transfer.
A release clause would usually require the payment of a lump sum, but it is common for clubs to try to agree on installment payments – as is usually the case with a transfer.
If so, there is a risk to the interests of a number of other clubs, including Chelsea, apparently.
This means that if Liverpool pursue their interest in Veiga, they will likely need to act quickly to push the move forward.
It should be stressed that an informal offer on personal terms is not an indication that a transfer will take place as the club are in similar talks with agents from other destinations.
Football Insider’s David Lynch, for example, reported on preliminary talks with representatives from Thuram and Kone.
This gives certainty about a player’s intentions should Liverpool then decide to seek a deal and include Veiga, Thuram, Kone or another midfielder in the signing of Alexis Mac Allister.
