Alexis MacAllister may have helped Liverpool sign a Sergio Busquets-type player with a $22 million release clause, but the Reds would face competition from Barcelona and Newcastle.
Alexis MacAllister, the new Liverpool midfielder, visited Argentine giants Boca Juniors on his way to Anfield.
After making his debut for Argentinos Juniors, he was signed by Brighton in the winter of 2019 and loaned to the Xeneizes for half a season six months later.
Mac Allister drew a parallel between the two teams after completing his move to Liverpool last week.
The club’s 54,000-seater La Bombonera stadium, like Anfield, is famous for its atmosphere across the world.
“I had to play twice at Anfield, and any player you talk to tells you that it’s crazy how people encourage,” he said to ESPN. “It is the closest thing to the people of Boca in England.”That also counts and is crucial. That’s why I called Liverpool “England’s Boca.” I’m dying to start playing there.”
It’s tempting to wonder if these remarks influenced Alan Varela, another Boca Juniors player reported to be on Liverpool’s radar.
According to Planeta BJ, the Reds are interested in signing 21-year-old defensive midfielder Varela after sending scouts to observe him play in his side’s 1-0 win against Tigre at the end of May.
They are far from the only clubs interested, with Football Insider claiming in March that Newcastle United and Barcelona were also interested, and Bournemouth and Benfica reportedly looked into moves in January.
Varela just signed a contract extension this summer, but it’s reported to have a $22 million (£17 million/€20 million) release clause, giving his club little security.
He frequently participates in the first phase of the build-up by dropping back into the defensive line, and he can start assaults with his incredibly diverse repertoire of passes.
Hicks also compliments his vision and attentiveness, noting his proclivity to study his surroundings before receiving the ball, which is reflected in his league-leading retention percentage.
One of the reasons Barcelona is interested in Varela is because the team needs to replace Sergio Busquets, the great midfielder who is leaving at the conclusion of his contract.
Sport journalist Luis Miguelsanz thinks he’s similar enough to be a perfect successor, labelling him ‘the Busquets of Boca’ despite being five inches shorter at 5ft 9in.
Given the player’s young and lack of European experience, some may regard this move as a risk for a team like Liverpool.
The player’s inexperience is best demonstrated by his disciplinary record: 27 yellow cards in 102 games, or one per 3.8 games. That equates to 10 bookings in a Premier League season, which is enough to receive a ban. He was also one of 11 players sent off after his team’s 2-1 loss to Racing Club in the Trofeo de Campeones in November, however that remains his sole red card to date.
Nonetheless, he is unlikely to be given too much responsibility at Liverpool right soon. Varela would most likely be a long-term successor for Fabinho rather than competing with him right away, and he may even go out on loan to one of Europe’s major five clubs to gain experience.
Finally, at under $22 million, this has the potential to be a steal in the style of Benfica’s $11 million (£8.6 million/€10 million) acquisition for Enzo Fernández, or Brighton’s $10 million (£7.7 million/€9 million) swoop for Mac Allister. Varela, one of his continent’s top players, truly is that talented.
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