Liverpool transfers: Reds will move forward on £59m player, talks now 'expected'

Liverpool have reportedly intensified their interest in a new defensive midfielder. It could set them back nearly £60m.

Liverpool are ready to push forward with a move for FC Porto's Alan Varela. The defensive midfielder has been consistently linked with the Reds for months now - and they appear to be set.

AS journalist Eduardo Burgos claims Liverpool have intensified their interest in Varela. They're now expected to start talks with Porto 'soon', though it's not a move that would come cheap.

"Liverpool intensify contacts for Alan Varela, one of the objectives for the summer," he wrote on X. "His clause is €70M and Boca has a % sale of the player.

"It is expected that they will soon open negotiations with Porto for his transfer. He will go to the Paris Olympic Games with Argentina."

Liverpool and Alan Varela

That €70m clause is roughly £59m, meaning Varela isn't an easy signing. It's also worth noting that Porto only signed him a year ago from Boca Juniors and paid just €11m with add-ons.

That's a massive markup, then, but the Argentine has been in fantastic form across 2023/24. Enough that Liverpool believe he could be their answer as a new holding midfielder.

The Reds have Wataru Endo there for now, of course, but he was only signed as a last resort ahead of the season. It always felt realistic that Liverpool would move for a top target in 2024, no matter how well the Japan international played.

Splashing near-£60m on a replacement, though, feels like a gamble. Would Varela really bring that much more value than Endo? Especially as Endo is one of the few internationals who won't be playing international football this summer.

But if Varela is viewed as a potentially world-class player, then it does make sense to sign him as the major summer transfer. he could well have a transformative effect - and a long-term one.