Liverpool have passed a contract offer to help secure a superb La Liga coup, although the Reds have to go up against Newcastle before they land a confirmed midfield goal.
Liverpool confirmed the arrival of Alexis Mac Allister on Thursday morning. Why the 24-year-old World Cup-winning Argentinian chose the Reds and rejected a belated bid for Man Utd has been revealed.
The £35m addition to Mac Allister kicks off Liverpool's midfield overhaul, and more additions are fully expected.
Indeed, Athletic's James Pearce recently listed five central defenders that Liverpool are targeting. Among those who signed up were Manu Kone (Borussia Mönchengladbach) and Khephren Thuram (Nice). Fabrizio Romano later announced that Liverpool had planned further rounds of negotiations with the two players' representatives.
Another person on the wish list of five is Gabri Veiga of Celta Vigo. Veiga, 21, was confirmed by Romano to be on Liverpool's radar last week.
The attacking midfielder is going through a breakthrough season, scoring 11 goals and providing four assists in La Liga. Among the teams he has scored against are Atletico Madrid, Sevilla and Barcelona (twice).
Links between Veiga and virtually every top British team have been made since the start of the year. However, a new update from Spain's Sport store has narrowed this field down.
Liverpool v Newcastle for Gabriel Veiga
The publication says that Chelsea could meet late, although the race is expected to be at Liverpool and Newcastle.
Real Madrid have shown an interest, although Los Blancos have so far been unwilling to meet Veiga's €40 million (approx. £34.4 million) release clause.
The real hope of serving one or two potential academy customers is to reduce the need for Celta's price. However, Sport State Celta have made their position clear - pay the release clause or don't ask.
Finally, it is reported that Liverpool and Newcastle are fully prepared to activate the release clause. Of the two, Liverpool are in the upper hand thanks to their willingness to spend heavily on individuals. Indeed, the report adds that Liverpool 'was insistent from day one' about signing Veiga and 'dramatically increasing the contract terms available to footballers'.
Newcastle will also earn plenty of contracts, although it has been suggested that Liverpool are the favorites and will pay more.
An agreement on personal terms has yet to be reached, despite signs that Veiga will move to Anfield if he leaves Celta this summer.
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