Senior figures at Liverpool dismiss interest in Porto midfielder Alan Varela

Reliable journalist Paul Gorst confirmed that Liverpool are not planning to sign Porto midfielder Alan Varela during the summer window. Gorst stated that Liverpool officials believe that Varela’s agent is the source of the rumours coming out of South America.

The 22-year-old has enjoyed a good season with the Portuguese side, winning the Taca de Portugal trophy against Sporting Lisbon. They also finished third in Liga Portugal, 18 points behind the eventual winner Sporting CP who enjoyed a dominant season.

Varela plays as a defensive midfielder, capable of playing good passes and dictating the tempo of the game for Porto. The Argentina U20 established himself as the first-team regular after joining Porto from Boca Juniors in the summer of 2023.  

Despite the numerous rumours suggesting Liverpool’s interest in Varela, Gorst dismissed the claims while writing in the Liverpool Echo column. He wrote:

“Alan Varela of Porto has been linked in recent days with the Argentina international reportedly having a release clause set at £60m. Senior figures, however, have dismissed genuine interest and believe the 22-year-old’s agent to be the source of the reports out of South America.”

However, Gorst did not dismiss the potential of Liverpool signing a defensive midfielder during the summer. The Reds acquired Wataru Endo during the summer of 2022 after failing to secure Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.

While Liverpool consider themselves fortunate to miss out on Chelsea’s flop Caicedo and Lavia, they still need a defensive midfielder. Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp deployed Alexis Mac Allister in the deep role whenever Endo struggled with the League’s pace.

Furthermore, Thiago Alcantara has left Liverpool as a free agent which leaves another big hole in the defensive midfield position. Recurring injuries hampered Stefan Bajcetic’s development despite his immense potential, so coaches need to monitor him closely while he is still young.

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Trent Alexander-Arnold has featured more in the central role but he is also not a textbook midfield general. Under the new head coach Arne Slot, Liverpool needs to upgrade the defensive midfield position as his tactics require it. The Dutchman used Mats Wieffer, a defensive midfielder linked with Liverpool, at Feyenoord. Wieffer was one of the standout performers under Slot.