Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are now ahead of Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea in the race for Gabri Veiga, according to a report.

According to Transfer Room, Liverpool are ahead of Chelsea in the race for Celta de Vigo central midfielder Gabri Veiga.

The report has claimed Chelsea “were pushing hard” for the 21-year-old central midfielder, but the Blues “have now taken a step back and are assessing other targets”.

Liverpool is the front-runner among clubs in the hunt to sign Veiga, but the report claims that the Reds are unwilling to meet the midfielder’s contract’s €40 million (£34 million) release clause.

We believe Liverpool should just pay the money if they need to spend £34 million (€40 million) to acquire Gabri Veiga.

The Reds’ efforts to reduce the transfer money necessary to sign the Spain Under-21 international are useless.

If Liverpool really likes the midfielder and believes he will be a great addition, they should exercise his release clause and sign him to a contract at Anfield.

Veiga participated in La Liga last season for Celta, making 28 starts and 8 cameos.

The midfielder scored 11 goals and had four assists in those games.