Liverpool Transfer Rumours: Reds keeping tabs on Porto prodigy Alan Varela

FC Porto midfielder Alan Varela was scouted by Liverpool as he faced Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League last week. The Argentine could be on the move.

TyC Sports journalist German Garcia Grova reports that Liverpool did in fact have scouts watching Alan Varela against Arsenal last week. Initially, reports suggested that the Reds hadn't been present, despite several other clubs watching the midfielder.

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But it appears Liverpool were there. That's according to Grova, anyway, who wrote on X that the club are monitoring Varela.

Scouts apparently did travel to watch him take on Arsenal - a game in which Porto won. Grova is also quick to point out that this wouldn't be an easy signing for any club, however, as Boca Juniors will claim 20% of any profit on his £6.8m transfer to Portugal.

How much would Varela cost?

Thus Porto are unlikely to let Varela leave on the cheap. Instead, the level of interest here likely drives the price sky-high.

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The main thing to consider here from Liverpool's point of view - and this goes for all transfer rumours right now - is that the Reds won't move forward on anything just yet. They don't actually have a sporting director and may not put anyone in place until mid-March.

Until that person is in place, Liverpool will be incredibly reluctant to spend money. Even after the appointment, it'll be tricky as the Reds still won't have a manager - so the plans for next season are unclear and will be for some time.

And that's before you consider how much Liverpool would actually need Varela. Wataru Endo has been fantastic, while there are other midfield options coming through. Bobby Clark and James McConnell could have squad places before the end of the season.

A long way to go on this one, then, and a lot of moving parts. No one should write-off Varela arriving but it's not exactly close.