Liverpool are said to be on the verge of securing Porto standout Alan Varela, hailed as the ‘next Javier Mascherano’. The Reds are actively pursuing their next head coach and are keen on bolstering their midfield, despite making four signings last summer.
Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, and Wataru Endo all joined less than twelve months ago, yet Varela is poised to contribute significantly to Liverpool’s future.
His recent move to Portugal in August did not hinder his impact, as evidenced by his standout performance against Arsenal in the Champions League and subsequent praise throughout his debut European campaign.
Despite possessing a £60 million release clause, Mundo Boca reports Liverpool’s interest in securing Varela’s talents for Anfield. Reportedly, they have initiated contact with Porto, the player’s current club, and have presented Varela with a lucrative £12 million per year contract offer in England.
With Boca Juniors entitled to a 20% sell-on fee, Porto is under pressure to negotiate a substantial transfer fee for their burgeoning talent, often compared to the likes of Mascherano.
Ruben Neves, a former Wolves player, has already lauded Varela, hailing him as a “complete” midfielder, further igniting interest in the rising star from Liverpool.
“He is an excellent player. It was an excellent signing for Porto, perhaps the team’s most regular reinforcement in terms of time and quality of play,” he told Portuguese outlet O Jogo.
“He is extremely aggressive, is always very well positioned in defensive balances and, lately, he has been getting a little further forward, making his passing and finishing ability count. He’s already scored two goals. He is very complete and has been one of the most important elements of the team.”
This season, Endo and Mac Allister have predominantly stepped into Fabinho’s position as Liverpool’s holding midfielder. However, Mac Allister, in particular, has thrived in a more advanced role, suggesting that the club sees him as a player who will play further forward in the future.
Endo’s acquisition from Stuttgart for a mere £16.2 million has proven shrewd, yet at 31, he’s not viewed as the enduring solution for the defensive midfield.
Sporting’s manager, Ruben Amorim, emerges as the frontrunner to succeed Jurgen Klopp. His familiarity with Varela, coupled with the potential to snag one of their adversaries’ key players, could benefit his current club.
Varela has long been on Liverpool’s radar, with multiple scouting missions, notably during Porto’s recent loss to Vitoria, as reported by Portuguese media.
However, his talents haven’t gone unnoticed by other top clubs such as Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund.
Liverpool aims to outmaneuver their competitors by initiating formal negotiations to secure Varela’s services.
In other Liverpool news, Transfers Liverpool Need This Summer Amid “Expected” Departure of Three Key Jurgen Klopp Players