Liverpool’s interest in Porto’s midfield maestro Alan Varela seems to have resurfaced, according to reports from Portuguese media outlets. The Argentinean player, who garnered attention during his stint with Boca Juniors, caught the eye of top clubs like Liverpool even before making the move to Porto last year.
Since his arrival for €8 million, Varela has proven his mettle, despite Porto lagging behind in their domestic league. However, their recent triumph over Arsenal in the Champions League, with Varela impressing in midfield, has once again highlighted his prowess to elite clubs seeking a reliable defensive midfielder.
Both Liverpool and Manchester United are keeping tabs on Varela, with scouts from the latter even observing his performance against Arsenal. With both clubs looking to bolster their defensive midfield options in the upcoming transfer window, Varela emerges as a viable candidate.
Manchester United, aiming to transition from an aging Casemiro and unlikely to secure Sofyan Amrabat permanently, are eyeing Varela as a potential solution. Liverpool, on the other hand, despite the commendable performance of Wataru Endo, are contemplating an upgrade and see Varela as an attractive prospect, despite his €18 million Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) and Porto’s firm stance due to his contract until 2028.
Porto’s reluctance to sell means interested clubs will have to shell out a hefty sum, with recent reports quoting an asking price of €70 million for the talented 22-year-old midfielder.