Liverpool have offered Celta Vigo attacking midfielder Gabri Veiga €5m a season (around £83,000 a week), according to Relevo reporter Oscar Mendez.

There had been claims in the Italian media suggesting that the Reds had been negotiating personal terms with the Spaniard and, when asked about the story, Mendez not only confirmed the accuracy of the report but warned that Chelsea could still beat them to the player’s signature:

Yes, but Liverpool have to pay 40 million to Celta faster than Chelsea

— Óscar Méndez (@Oscarmg24) June 22, 2023

The €40m (£34m) figure that Mendez is referring to is Veiga’s release clause. Celta won’t sell the 21-year-old unless the buyout fee is paid in full, so everything is dependent on who is willing to pay up.

Veiga is known to be on Liverpool’s list of targets but it is not clear at the moment whether he is the Merseyside club’s top priority.

What other transfers are Liverpool considering?

Jurgen Klopp’s side are very much focused on signing midfielders this summer. Following the arrival of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton, the Reds are expected to make at least one more addition in the middle of the park.

While Veiga is certainly a candidate, Nice’s Khephren Thuram is also being seriously considered. Interest in Borussia Monchengladbach’s Manu Kane and Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch is reportedly less concrete.

Defenders are being scouted

It is believed that Liverpool have also been scouring Europe for a new centre-back. While they are admirers of RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol, they won’t be able to afford the Croatian international’s €100m (£86m) asking price.

Wolfsburg’s Micky van der Ven and Sporting Lisbon’s Goncalo Inacio are said to be more realistic transfer targets. However, any moves for defenders are likely to come later in the transfer window when the club have sorted out the midfield.