Mascherano 2.0 for £60m? Liverpool pursue FC Porto’s Alan Varela in blockbuster transfer bid

Liverpool FC are looking to sign FC Porto’s defensive midfielder Alan Varela in the upcoming summer transfer window. The 22-year-old has often been likened to the legendary Javier Mascherano, and he could soon find a new home in Merseyside.

Varela only moved to Estádio do Dragão last summer and has made a notable impact in his short stint with the dragões. His notable performance came against Merseyside Reds rivals Arsenal in the Champions League, which earned him attention from European elites. 

Former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves described Valera as: “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.”

Hefty Fee and Big Contract Offered for Porto’s Varela

While the club signed Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Endo, and Alexis Mac Allister at the heart of the park only last summer, they are looking to bring Alan Varela to Anfield Stadium in the upcoming window. Liverpool have already made a formal inquiry to secure his services, and a lucrative £12 million-a-year contract reportedly awaits Varela if the deal concludes, highlighting the importance the club is placing on the 22-year-old.

Journalist Luis Fregossi of Mundo Boca shed light on a possible transfer as he acknowledged the hefty transfer fee Porto are demanding with a $70 million release clause complemented by a 20% release clause from Boca Juniors. However, he did acknowledge the formal inquiry that the Reds have made with the Portuguese club. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Fregossi wrote: “The only team that called Portugal is Liverpool, who would pay the 70 million dollars. The player already knows what contract he would have, and Boca would have 20% left, which would be 14 million euros.”

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He looks like some player; however, it is to be seen whether Liverpool sanctions any transfer at such hefty fees, especially for a 22-year-old with just a year of European experience under his belt.