Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Klopp learns when La Liga sensation will move to Liverpool and oust Thiago as ex-Red describes perfect scenario

Gavi and Gabri Veiga, Barcelona vs Celta Vigo

Jurgen Klopp has found out when he will be able to sign one of the best midfielders in Spain after a former Liverpool man who plays alongside him admitted it will be impossible to prevent a transfer.

Liverpool will finally get their midfield rebuild underway this summer, arguably a season or two later than it should have happened. Fabinho will likely keep his role in the midfield trio, as even though he has had a disappointing campaign, he is expected to bounce back and return to his dominant best next season.

The Athletic journalist David Ornstein recently cast serious doubt over whether Jude Bellingham would move to Anfield. He explained how it is far more likely Bellingham will join Manchester City or Real Madrid due to Liverpool not wanting to get into a bidding war.

But Fabrizio Romano believes the race is still open, as the Borussia Dortmund star has yet to make a final decision and is ‘keeping all his options open’.

Should Bellingham move to Anfield, then he would probably take up the spot on the right side of Fabinho. That has usually been Jordan Henderson’s position under Klopp, though Harvey Elliott has been selected there a lot this term.

Thiago is generally the midfielder who plays on the left of Fabinho, with Stefan Bajcetic also available to Klopp. But with Liverpool preparing to bring in at least two new midfielders in the summer, Thiago’s place in the team could come under threat.

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And while Thiago has largely been great in a Liverpool shirt, Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga is one player who has the talent to replace him.

Veiga is enjoying a fantastic campaign, having registered nine goals and three assists in 25 La Liga appearances so far. He is an excellent dribbler who also possesses great vision and excels at long-range shooting.

Liverpool in busy race for La Liga star

His output and attributes are even more impressive due to him being only 20 years old. It is clear he has the potential to go right to the summit of European football.

The race for Veiga’s signature is hotting up. Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle United are the main Premier League clubs eyeing him. In Spain, Real Madrid are hoping to engineer a deal.

On Wednesday, Spanish outlet Diario AS predicted Newcastle would win the race for the playmaker by matching his €40million (£35.2m) release clause outright.

But according to an update from fellow Spanish source Cadena Ser, Klopp ‘loves’ Veiga and is eager to get to him before Newcastle. The Reds must be considered one of his strongest suitors right now.

In a boost for Klopp, former Liverpool striker Iago Aspas, who plays with Veiga at Celta Vigo, has effectively admitted the wonderkid will secure a major transfer in 2024. But he is hopeful Celta will hold off the likes of Liverpool, Newcastle and Real this year.

“For me money is not the most important thing. And I say this because I play for the team from my country and I’m at home,” Aspas said while on international duty with Spain (via Diario AS).

“What I recommend to Gabri, who is very good and also very young, is that he stay[s] at Celta for at least one more season. Next season is Celta’s centenary and I would like Gabri Veiga to continue with us.

“Then you can choose to play wherever you want, because his trajectory is fantastic. He is followed by great clubs, I know, but Gabri is 20 years old and has time ahead of him.”

It will be intriguing to see how the Veiga transfer chase plays out. Aspas is desperate for him to stay for an extra season, but that may not happen as Liverpool desperately need midfield arrivals this summer.

Celta Vigo admit transfer is inevitable

Celta’s president, Carlos Mourino, recently provided an update on Veiga’s situation. He said (via Romano): “We want to keep Gabri Veiga but it will be impossible due to release clause. We know some bids he has, impossible to match.”

Romano then summarised what else the club chief said: “We will only let Gabri Veiga leave for the release clause. There are many clubs interested.

“Real Madrid have not asked us for him. We don’t know if they called Gabri.

“Four of top 10 Premier League clubs asked for info about Gabri Veiga.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool have taken a big step towards bringing a former Tottenham man on board.