Liverpool transfers: Reds now said to have made £56m offer for Alan Varela

Liverpool have reportedly put in a £56m offer to sign their new defensive midfielder. That’s according to reports out of Argentina.

Argentine journalist Luis Fregossi claims Liverpool have been in touch with FC Porto about signing Alan Varela. The Reds have long been linked with the midfielder after his performances since arriving in Portugal last summer.

Fregossi believes it's more than just interest at this stage, though - Liverpool are actively trying to sign him. He says they're the only club to have made any sort of offer.

"The only team that called Portugal is Liverpool, which would pay the 70M dollars," he told Mundo Boca Radio. "The player already knows what contract he would have and Boca would have 20% themselves, which would be 14 million euros."

That would work out to around £56m, which is reportedly Varela's release clause. Porto would be making a massive profit on the player who hasn't even been there for a year yet. Even with Boca's 20%.

If Fregossi is correct, Liverpool seem set on their next defensive midfielder.

Liverpool bid for Alan Varela

We imagine this would be an informal offer - just Liverpool letting Porto know they're open to paying the release clause. For one, the club are highly unlikely to commit to this kind of fee before knowing who their new manager is.

But the Reds were after a defensive midfielder last summer and even though Wataru Endo arrived, he was far from their primary target. It shouldn't surprise anyone to see Liverpool move for another player in 2024.

Varela may well be their best option, too. He has that release clause, so there's no negotiation over price, while he's performed well in both Liga Portugal and the UEFA Champions League.

Liverpool have scouted him several times this season, too, and it sounds like they might be pretty set on him.