Reds to press ahead with £59m player, talks now ‘on hold’

Liverpool have stepped up their interest in a new defensive midfielder. It could cut them by nearly £60m.

Liverpool are ready to press ahead with a move for FC Porto’s Alan Varela. The defensive midfielder has been consistently linked with the Reds for months – and they look ready.

AS journalist Eduardo Burgos claims that Liverpool have stepped up their interest in Varela. He is now expected to start talks with Porto “soon”, although it is not a move that would come cheap.

“Liverpool are stepping up their contact for Alan Varela, one of the summer targets,” he wrote to X. “His release clause is €70m and Boca have a % sale on the player.

“He is expected to open negotiations with Porto soon for his transfer. He will go to the Olympics in Paris with Argentina.”

Liverpool and Alan Varela

That €70m release clause is around £59m, meaning Varela is no easy signing. It should also be noted that Porto signed him a year ago from Boca Juniors and paid only 11 million euros with add-ons.

It’s a massive mark then, but the Argentine has been in fantastic form in 2023/24. Enough so that Liverpool believe he could be their answer as a new holding midfielder.

The Reds have Wataru Endo there for now, of course, but he was only signed as a last resort before the season. It always seemed realistic that Liverpool would move for a top-flight target in 2024, regardless of how well the Japan international played.

Splashing nearly £60m on a replacement feels like a gamble, though. It would be Varela really does it bring much more value than Endo? Especially since Endo is one of the few internationals who won’t be playing international football this summer.

But if Varela is seen as a potential world-class player, then it makes sense to sign him as a major summer signing. it could have a transformative effect – and a long-term one.