Liverpool are keeping close tabs on FC Porto’s Alan Varela, according to O Jogo.
The Argentina U23 international arrived in Europe when the Dragons signed him from Boca Juniors last summer. He’s become an integral part of Sérgio Conceição’s squad this season and it has clearly not gone unnoticed.
Liverpool sent an official to the Estádio do Dragão to watch the 22-year-old live in action against Vitória Guimarães SC on Sunday. At the time we suggested Varela could have been the reason.
O Jogo now state that as fact.
The Portuguese newspaper makes it clear the Reds don’t send their scouts to Porto’s home stadium regularly, and that Varela was the specific reason they did this time.
He was on the pitch for 56 minutes as Porto suffered a 2-1 defeat at the weekend. Despite this, the report states the Premier League side’s officials have well documented the South American’s qualities.
Varela has clocked in 2,730 minutes from 36 games this season, managing two goals and three assists in the process, and his regularity is one of the factors that has pleased Liverpool.
O Jogo are of the belief the Argentine fits the midfielder profile the English club are looking for in the summer window. Varela’s deal lasts until 2028 and he’s protected by a €70m release clause, although we reckon that could be negotiated.
Porto look set to miss out on Champions League qualification and therefore have a big hole in their finances.
