Liverpool can secure Argentine midfielder for £20million, with Premier League move preferred

Ciaran McCarthy
Alan Varela, Boca Juniors, May 2022

Liverpool are in the race for Boca Juniors midfielder Alan Varela, and they could reportedly sign him for £20million at most, while the player is keen to move to the Premier League.

A squad overhaul could be coming at Anfield in the summer. They’ve not been the consistent side that had been challenging for the league in each of the past four seasons – far from it.

The response to their 7-0 drubbing of Manchester United was as good an indictment of their current state as anything. Indeed, they followed up that statement win by losing 1-0 to Bournemouth.

It’s fairly clear fresh air needs to be breathed into the squad. Recent reports have stated several stars, particularly in the midfield, will be let go at the end of the season.

That area is one that could do with freshening up. Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara and James Milner are all above the age of 30. Naby Keita, Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain and Fabinho are nearing that mark, too.

If a few of those players are to leave, some younger players are likely to join the club. It seems Stefan Bajcetic and Harvey Elliott could be star players in the coming years.

Adding some other exciting talents to play alongside them should be the first step of Liverpool’s rebuild. Football Insider reports one player who has caught their eye is Boca Juniors midfielder Varela.

The 21-year-old has played 85 times for Boca since 2020 and is being touted as one of Argentina’s ‘hottest properties’. He is also being targeted by Newcastle United and Barcelona.

It’s the two English sides who should be in front in the pursuit. Football Insider suggests Varela is ‘keen to land a move, especially to the Premier League’.

What’s more, they state £16-20million would be enough to land him. For Liverpool, a 21-year-old who won’t cost a bomb and is already being touted for success would be the perfect addition.

That’s due to the likely price tag of main target Jude Bellingham. Jurgen Klopp’s side are reportedly ‘growing in confidence’ regarding their pursuit of the 19-year-old.

However, that deal could reach £125million, so there might not be much money left to sign other big names.

As such, Varela would be perfect, and the Reds will hope they can land him and integrate him with their other young midfielders in the summer.

READ MORE: Pundit warns Klopp that Bellingham would not be able to replace key Liverpool midfielder