Liverpool Are Keeping Tabs On This Porto Midfielder: Should The Reds Move In For Him? | OneFootball

In a recent report, O Jogo claimed that Liverpool are keeping tabs on Porto midfielder Alan Varela. It has been stated that the Reds have sent scouts to catch the Argentine talent in action for the Portuguese club recently.

Varela’s Solid Form In Portuguese Football This Season

Varela has been a solid presence at the heart of Porto’s midfield during this campaign and has done well to put in a string of solid displays for them in Liga Portugal. The Argentine midfield ace has featured in 36 matches for the Portuguese club this season, netting two goals and earning three assists across various competitions.

The 22-year-old has anchored the midfield relatively well based on his average of 1.2 tackles, 0.8 interceptions, 1.0 clearances, 1.1 shots and 0.8 key passes per game in Liga Portugal. He has even been accurate when distributing possession from midfield after making 89.9% of his attempted passes in the Portuguese first division (stats via whoscored).

His current contract at the Portuguese club will run out in the summer of 2028. Thus, the Reds would have to make a big offer if they are serious about recruiting the South American sensation later this year.

Arsenal’s English midfielder #41 Declan Rice (R) fights for the ball with Porto’s Argentinian midfielder #22 Alan Varela during the UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg football match between Arsenal and Porto FC at the Arsenal Stadium in north London, on March 12, 2024. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)

Should Liverpool Move In For Varela?

Varela loves a tackle and can time his challenges well to earn the ball back for his team in the middle of the park. He doesn’t mind clearing the danger when the opposition are on the offensive and can strike the ball purely from long range.

The Argentine midfielder can even set up some decent plays for others around him in the opponent’s half. He is primarily a defensive midfielder but can also operate as a box-to-box midfielder if asked to do so.

Varela would bring more bite and steel to Liverpool‘s midfield and could help the Reds compete across all fronts in the post-Jurgen Klopp era. At 22, he has the potential to become a future great in his position someday. Therefore, it makes sense for the Merseyside club to move in for Varela when the transfer window reopens later this summer.

However, there are some question marks over whether the Argentine youngster can cope with the physicality and high intensity of English football.