Liverpool are trying to sign £60m player who has just won Man of the Match award vs Arsenal

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It will be interesting to see how Liverpool approach this summer’s transfer window.

Having worked exclusively on their midfield last year, many would argue that efforts should now be focused on strengthening other positions.

But although Liverpool are reportedly delighted with their 2023 additions, more perhaps needs to be done in midfield. Thiago Alcantara is on his way out, while at 31 Wataru Endo was never supposed to be a long-term addition. Injuries this year have shown that the Reds are still only a few injuries away from being right down to the bare bones. There is room for another signing.

With that in mind, French outlet Foot Mercato report that Liverpool are keen on signing Porto midfielder Alan Varela. The 22-year-old has reportedly become the ‘darling of the fans’ at the Dragao since arriving in the summer. His Man of the Match display in the Champions League against Arsenal two weeks ago serving as a recent high point.

These kinds of performances have reportedly alerted Liverpool, as well as PSG and Borussia Dortmund. Porto, as ever, are said to be ‘rubbing their hands’ at the idea of a quick profit on a player who cost them barely £9m at the start of the season. In order to let him go now, they are claimed to be asking for Varela’s full £60m release clause.

Reportedly dubbed as ‘the next Javier Mascherano,’ Liverpool are said to be keeping an eye on his progress in Portugal.

Liverpool still in for Varela

Liverpool were actually said to be one of the teams in the mix before Varela left Boca Juniors for Porto last year. For the price the Portuguese giants paid, he’d have been a bargain for the Reds.

You can understand why Liverpool may have held off at that time. Having lost out on Moises Caciedo, they will have been after a defensive midfielders who was a bit more of a safer bet.

Although Endo was also a gamble, he had at least already played for years in Europe and as captain of his national team was sure to be a mature presence at the very least. At 21 and fresh out of Buenos Aires, the same couldn’t be expected of Varela.

As it has turned out, Endo has been much, much more than anyone thought. Having endured a brief settling in period, he has been a terrific signing for Liverpool.

But with Jurgen Klopp set to depart, it feels likely that the new incoming manager will be keen to bring in and build around a young defensive midfielder.

If that is the case then Varela would look like a good place to start. Tenacious, strong and a supreme passer of the ball, the Argentine has all the makings of being the next big star out of the Portuguese league.

Obviously, the price may eventually be prohibitive. But Varela is well worth keeping an eye on for the reast of the season, starting with the last-16 second-leg at Arsenal next week.

It may be that Liverpool decide against adding to their midfield cohort. We get the feeling that the rebuild is not quite yet complete, though. Varela could be the cherry on the top.