Liverpool are still looking for at least one more midfielder after the arrival of Alexis Mac Allister.

Liverpool have reportedly made their first attempt to sign Gabri Veiga from Celta Vigo with a ‘substantial offer’, but that’s only half of what it takes to clinch a deal.

It was a quick start to the transfer window for Liverpool as they secured Alexis Mac Allister in a deal worth £35m.

However, more midfield signings are expected following the departure of James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as free agents.

A host of names have been linked with Anfield, including Khephren Thuram, Manu Kone, Ryan Gravenberch and Nicolo Barella. Talks are said to be taking place behind the scenes, but Jurgen Klopp wants new signings early in the pre-season.

The Liverpool players are expected to return early next month before heading to Germany for a training camp.

Bringing in at least one midfielder will be a priority for Klopp and Viega could be Liverpool’s main target. According to Mundo Deportivo, Liverpool have offered Veiga a contract worth around £95,000 a week

It has been suggested the deal would attract the talented Spanish midfielder, but meeting his contractual requirements isn’t the only “hurdle” Liverpool face.

The report also points out that Veiga’s buyout clause with Celta Vigo is apparently non-negotiable.

Liverpool need to raise the transfer fee by £34m to start talks on a deal for Veiga. It is also noted that the fees must be paid in full and not in installments via add-ons.

Liverpool appear to have the budget to meet Celta’s demands but they aren’t the only ones interested in the 21-year-old. Part of Liverpool’s interest in Veiga will come from his goalscoring skills in midfield, as he netted 11 times last season.

Klopp hasn’t had a goal threat in the position in recent years, with Harvey Elliott the only midfielder to score more than three goals last season.

The greatest attacking pressure was on Liverpool talent in the forward positions. But Veiga is seen as the type of player who can bridge the gap between midfield and attack.

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Liverpool are entering uncharted territory. By this point last year, all summer transfer matters had been completed apart from the panicked battle to sign Arthur Melo on loan. And while that was a particularly successful period, it was an indication of how both Jürgen Klopp and FSG like to do business.

For the owners, this means there will be no price increase as the buyer of the clubs is desperate. For Klopp, that means a full pre-season to work with newcomers, which seems particularly important as Liverpool look to rebuild. However, the transfer market is currently a series of dominoes just waiting to fall, so patience is required.

Of course, Liverpool managed to get Alexis Mac Allister through the door early, using a release clause to secure genuine transfer activity. However, there has been little movement since then and there is a feeling the club are biding their time.

Some interesting players could undoubtedly be signed relatively quickly – Gabri Veiga, for example, also has a release clause, albeit with more suitors in place – but Liverpool appear to be keeping their options open. One possibility is that he’s waiting to see if the marquee name Nicolò Barella becomes available, and there’s more on that today.

Here is Liverpool.com’s verdict on the market gossip surrounding the Reds today

Nicolò Barella (Inter)

In the wake of a report from Italy’s Gazetta Dello Sport attributing a legitimate interest in Barella to Liverpool, the Independent has now taken a stand.

Miguel Delaney says Newcastle are currently considering alternatives, with a large gap in ratings between the two clubs. Inter Milan are pitching nearly $102m (£80m/€93m), with the Magpies around $38m short of that amount.

Liverpool are “also interested” in the player and see him as “exactly what they want in a second midfielder to complement Alexis Mac Allister”. However, she also believes that the price is currently “far too high”.

Liverpool.com says: It’s a real dilemma. Inter need to sell players and the pressure could increase as the transfer window progresses depending on whether or not they can offload lesser assets. But the longer Liverpool wait, the less certainty Klopp will have in pre-season – especially as there is no guarantee he will beat Newcastle.

Meanwhile, other legitimate targets, such as Veiga or Khéphren Thuram, may have moved elsewhere. It’s a real balancing act. But given Barella’s star quality, Liverpool would certainly be justified in waiting a little longer than usual with transfers.

Sofia Amrabat (Fiorentina)

There is also another midfielder under the eyes of both Liverpool and Newcastle. Like Barella, he’s someone who hasn’t really been on the radar for a while. Sofyan Amrabat was a rising World Cup star, which led to links with Liverpool. But things have cooled off since his return to Fiorentina.

However, according to TuttoMercato correspondent Giacomo Iacobellis on Twitter, both Liverpool and Newcastle are willing to match the Italian side’s valuation of $33m (£26m/€30m). As it stands, no other team is willing to pay this much, even if the player’s personal preference remains Barcelona or Atlético Madrid.

Liverpool.com says: Liverpool tend to go for players who are completely sold on a move, and won’t beg Amrabat to pick Anfield over a move to Spain. However, it is interesting that his name has reappeared.

Importantly, if there is any truth to the report, it means a slightly more conservative presence in midfield could still be on Liverpool’s radar. Despite his defensive performances at the World Cup, he’s not really a number six, but he has the qualities that would allow him to play deeper – like Manu Koné who is also linked with him.

The latter has better defensive strength and would actually be a more attractive choice overall. But if Liverpool are still looking for someone who is really comfortable as a defensive midfielder and could replace Fabinho, it would be a welcome development.