Liverpool have been linked with a move for Argentine midfielder Alan Varela, who has a €70 million release clause in his FC Porto contract.
A report from O Jogo has claimed that Liverpool scouted the €70 million-rated Alan Varela in action at the weekend. Chelsea had scouts present in the game against Vitoria SC as well.
It will be interesting to see if Liverpool follow up on their interest with a concrete proposal to sign the midfielder at the end of the season. Varela is highly rated around Europe, and he has a bright future ahead of him. He could prove to be a solid acquisition for the Liverpool midfield.
Liverpool certainly have the financial muscle to pay his €70 million release clause, and it will be interesting to see if the Reds are ready to break the bank for him. Varela has the attributes to develop into a top-class defensive midfielder, and he will help Liverpool tighten up defensively.
His arrival would allow the creative players to operate with more freedom, thus improving Liverpool going forward. Porto will not want to let an important player like him leave the club. So, it is fair to assume that Liverpool will have to trigger his release clause in order to get the deal done.
Meanwhile, Chelsea need more depth in the middle of the park as well, and Varela could be the ideal partner for Enzo Fernandez, especially with Moises Caicedo underperforming. However, the report has not mentioned whether the Blues have the Argentine midfielder on their wishlist.
Varela will want Liverpool move
Varela will certainly be tempted to join Liverpool next season, and it remains to be seen how the situation develops. He would get to play alongside his compatriot Alexis Mac Allister at Anfield if the transfer goes through. Liverpool have done well to spot talented young players in recent years and nurture them into established stars.
Varela would be a superb long-term investment for them, and he could end up justifying the investment in the long term. Liverpool are set to lose Thiago Alcantara at the end of the season. The Spanish international that will be out of contract in the summer, and he will need to be replaced.
Although Varela is not a similar player in terms of skill set, he could be the ideal replacement. Liverpool already have quality central midfielders and playmakers at their disposal, and they need to strengthen the defensive midfield department now.
