Liverpool head into transfer deadline day still with the feeling that something needs to be done.
The Reds were incredibly slow out of the blocks this summer, failing to make their first signing until August the 27th.
With the 30th now upon us, the time for evaluating has to end. Liverpool have no choice but to act late in the market.
Whether they are able to do what they want to or not remains to be seen, but it seems clear that the Reds are still trying to bolster their first-team squad.
The biggest problem position for Arne Slot is almost certainly in central defensive midfield. And with that in mind, details have emerged of a second botched attempt at bringing in a new No.6.
Liverpool fail in Alan Varela talks
Liverpool looked all set to get the midfielder they had been craving earlier in the summer when it was revealed that Martin Zubimendi had been installed as their top target.
However, with the Spaniard turning them down in order to stay at home, it was quickly reported that Liverpool had no alternative to Zubimendi.
Zubimendi looked an ideal fit for Liverpool, that’s certainly true. But, as it turns out, the Reds may have had a second choice in mind after all.
That’s because according to Argentine journalist German Garcia Grova, Liverpool made a ‘last attempt’ to speak to Porto about signing Alan Varela two weeks ago.
READ MORE: Liverpool told Alan Varela is ‘screaming out’ at them as a Martin Zubimendi alternative
“Liverpool made a last attempt for Alan Varela,” Grova reports on X. “Communications were informal with Porto 2 weeks ago as per Julio Pavonoi. The club asks for the value of the clause, € 90M [£75m].”
Other Argentine journalists also weighed in on Thursday night, with the reputable Cesar Luis Merlo the most notable.
“Liverpool wanted to make a move and sign Alan Varela, but couldn’t,” Merlo writes on X.
“Porto declared him non-transferable in this market and made it known that they want to improve his contract, which expires in June 2028.”
James Pearce shoots down Varela rumours
Naturally, transfer news such as this around deadline day got Liverpool supporters very excited online. It had looked for a moment as though something could be in the offing with Varela.
However, taking to X late on Thursday night, journalist James Pearce shot down any chance that Liverpool are considering a late move for the 23-year-old.
“Liverpool are not planning a late move for Porto’s Alan Varela,” writes Pearce.
While that sounds very definitive, we know that strange things can happen on deadline day.
If Liverpool somehow get reason to believe they can come back in and be successful for Varela, maybe something will change.
We’d still keep an eye on this over the course of the day.
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