Alan Varela of Boca Juniors is reported to be scouted by the Reds, adding another name to the list of midfielders associated with Liverpool.
Varela, a 21-year-old Argentine defensive midfielder, is a vital player for Boca in his fourth professional season.
According to a Boca website, Liverpool scouts were present during Varela’s latest encounter at La Bombonera versus Tigre.
Liverpool was claimed to have scouted Varela in March, with the midfielder showing interest in five teams, including Barcelona and Newcastle.
Varela is said to have a $15 million (£11.7 million) release clause.
What makes the ties with Varela intriguing is that supporters have referred to the South American market as one where the Reds should be conducting business, with Alexis Mac Allister being one example.
In 2019, Brighton paid Argentinos Juniors £6.9 million before loaning him to Boca Juniors for a season.
Moises Caicedo, from Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle, was also signed by the Seagulls for a fee of £5 million.
Another example is Manchester City‘s signing of Julian Alvarez for £14.1 million.
Capturing a player like Varela for a modest cost and then loaning him back to Boca to grow for another season might prove to be a low risk, high potential return strategy.
The adjustments made to work permit restrictions are one of the reasons why English teams may now explore the South American market more.
We noted in 2021 that “for a club like Liverpool, it could open up a new source of talent in South America, as long as the players they identify are good enough to take up one of those valuable squad places.”
In one interview while on international duty with Argentina, Mac Allister compared Liverpool to Boca.
While Varela appears to be a long-term deal, especially given that Boca’s season follows the calendar year and would be a January arrival at best, Liverpool’s major focus this summer is on midfielders.
Khephren Thuram, Manu Kone, Gabri Veiga, Ryan Gravenberch, and Romeo Lavia remain on the short list.
All of those players are presently on international duty, so don’t anticipate any fresh signings to be announced anytime soon.
Liverpool’s players will resume pre-season training on July 8th.
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