Liverpool eyeing up summer move for 'next Javier Mascherano'

James Shearman

• Updated: 7 Mar 2024 20:30 GMT
• 3 min read

Liverpool are reportedly weighing up a summer move for Porto midfielder Alan Varela.

Varela only signed for Porto last August, completing an €8 million move from Boca Juniors.

However, after an excellent debut campaign, he is now being linked with two of Europe's top clubs.

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According to French outlet Foot Mercato, both Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain are admirers of the 22-year-old.

Likened to former Liverpool favourite Javier Mascherano, Varela is best suited to the 'number six' position.

This is an area that they are particularly keen to strengthen ahead of next season, despite the good form of Wataru Endo.

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Porto are demanding that the Reds meet Varela's release clause of €70 million in order to complete a deal.

Do Liverpool need a defensive midfielder?

Liverpool missed out on top targets Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea last summer.

As a result, Jurgen Klopp's side ended up settling for Endo, who they signed for £16m from Stuttgart.

Endo has exceeded expectations in the Premier League and was excellent in their recent Carabao Cup final success.

That being said, the Japan international, at 31 years of age, cannot be viewed as a long-term solution.

Thus, the Reds do need to reenter the transfer market for a defensive midfielder in the forthcoming window.

Should he move to Anfield, Varela would form an exciting midfield trio alongside Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.

Bayern's Joshua Kimmich is another name that is reportedly on Liverpool's shortlist.