Liverpool legend Rafa Benitez may be about to do Jurgen Klopp a huge transfer favour
Jurgen Klopp will be hoping for Rafa Benitez to lend a helping hand as he finally closes in on a return to club management.
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Liverpool icon Rafa Benitez could be in a position to do the Reds a massive favour by granting a transfer wish for Jurgen Klopp this summer, with the Spaniard reportedly set for a return to the dugout in La Liga.
Benitez, who famously managed Liverpool to the Champions League title in 2005, has been out of work since he was sacked by Everton in January of last year.
It seems as though Benitez is poised to finalise his return to management over the coming days, though, with the 63-year-old having been lined up to replace Carlos Carvahal at Celta Vigo.
That’s according to The Athletic, who are reporting that Benitez is ‘on the verge’ of putting pen to paper with the Spanish outfit after turning down offers to take charge of clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Liverpool will be sneakily hoping for Benitez to give them a helping hand in his new role by selling them highly-rated midfielder Gabri Veiga, with the 20-year-old said to be among the names on Klopp’s list of summer targets.
He is said to have a release clause in the region of £34million but is also reportedly being pursued by several other top sides, including the likes of Chelsea and Barcelona.
Newcastle and Real Madrid have also been credited with a desire to land Veiga in recent weeks, which suggests that Liverpool could face a tricky battle to snap him up before the new Premier League season gets underway.
Benitez might just be able to swing proceedings in their favour, though, if he can successfully convince Veiga that a move to Anfield this summer would be in his best interests.
Rafa Benitez is reportedly set to return to club management with Celta Vigo (Image: GETTY)
Veiga is widely expected to leave Celta Vigo in search of a new challenge this summer, with Sky Germany reporting that he is almost certain to move on before start of the new campaign.
The report also states that Chelsea have already touched base over a move to west London, but the player and his representatives are still ‘considering many options’ before settling on his preferred destination.
It seems as though Barcelona, Newcastle or Real Madrid could make things difficult for Liverpool and Chelsea by firming up their interest in Veiga this summer, given their ability to offer him the chance to play Champions League football next season.
However, it seems as though Klopp is not overly concerned about the possibility of being beaten to deals by other clubs in spite of the Reds being consigned to the Europa League in 2023/24.
