Liverpool have reportedly held talks with former boss Rafael Benitez to try and work out an agreement to sign Gabri Veiga this summer. Jurgen Klopp has spoken openly about his wish to sign another central midfielder with Jordan Henderson leaving and Fabinho set to also depart.
Romeo Lavia appears to be the priority target after having an initial bid turned down by Southampton. But alternative options are still being explored while Liverpool are also planning for the future.
The Reds have already made drastic changes in midfield as Henderson has joined James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out the door. Thiago Alcantara is also entering his final year at Anfield with the expectation that he’ll be allowed to leave as a free agent in 2024.
That would leave Liverpool needing to find another midfield replacement and the Reds seemingly want to act now to avoid leaving themselves short. While Lavia appears to be a target to bring in right now, it’s suggested by transfer expert Ben Jacobs that Liverpool want a deal in place for Veiga to join next year.
It’s claimed that a ‘senior Liverpool figure’ has already held talks with Benitez, who took over at Celta Vigo this summer. The report goes on to state that there’s a possibility of a deal being agreed this summer where Veiga would be loaned back to Celta Vigo for the upcoming season.
Liverpool struck a similar deal with RB Leipzig in 2017 for the signing of Keita, who joined a year later. Veiga has a £34million release clause in his current contract, but he’s said to want ‘instant game time’ which Liverpool may not be able to offer him this year.